An investigation that found Las Vegas area mental health patients being shipped by bus to California and other states for treatment has led to an unspecified amount of firings, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval announced Monday.
In a statement, Sandoval said further disciplinary action has been taken at Rawson-Neal Psychiatric Hospital in Las Vegas based upon internal investigations of 1,500 patients discharged since July 2008. Late last week, the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services finished its review of out-of-state transports between July 2008 and March 2013.
The Sacramento Bee newspaper uncovered the alleged patient-dumping practice in reports that began in March. The newspaper found the psychiatric hospital released, then bused hundreds of patients to states across the country.
“Over the weekend, I reviewed the results of the investigation into patients transported out of state. All individuals who violated release policies have been or will be disciplined. These disciplinary actions include terminations effective today. While the investigation showed the vast majority of patient releases were done correctly, it also revealed policies were not followed by certain individuals. I will continue to evaluate the need for further action if necessary," Sandoval said in the statement.
“In addition, we have obtained proposals from national experts in the mental health field to provide an objective and comprehensive analysis of our state facilities to ensure that best practices are being implemented and followed. As I have stated before, improperly discharging one patient is one patient too many. It is important to me and all Nevadans that we treat our most vulnerable members of society with dignity and care.”
In addition to the actions taken Monday, state-wide discharge policies for patients transported out of state have been strengthened, and a formalized chaperone policy has been instituted, Sandoval said.