One in three safety violations at Philly-area Pa. hospitals involved shortcomings in mental health services.

**NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN** · Apr 26

Nurses MUST do better caring for those with mental health illness: education and staffing are key.

Philadelphia Inquirer 4/22/24

One in three safety violations at Philly-area Pa. hospitals involved shortcomings in mental health services. How can hospitals do better?

Some health systems are expanding training and services and investing in staff to keep patients safe.

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Hospitals have been challenged by an increase in emergency department visits by people experiencing a mental health crisis.

A patient died on the floor of a behavioral health unit at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania's Cedar Avenue facility because staff didn't know how to respond. (I started my career at this facility in 1977 then Misericordia Hospital , didn't have issues in psych unit when Nuns running facility. Karen)

Children experiencing mental health crises were required to wear lime green scrubs at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in violation of their privacy rights.

A patient with schizophrenia and other mental health issues fled Crozer's Taylor Hospital without her shoes or a working phone because staff didn't monitor her closely enough after a previous attempt to leave, and was missing for six days.

One out of every three safety citations issued to Philadelphia-area hospitals by Pennsylvania health inspectors since the beginning of 2022 have involved patients receiving treatment for behavioral or mental health concerns. Hospitals in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties were cited 28 times, forcing hospitals to reevaluate how they are managing their care.

Inspection reports reveal inadequate staffing, lack of proper emergency protocol, and insufficient training on how to help patients experiencing a mental health issue. These problems contribute to basic oversights, such as failing to properly screen and watch patients at risk of suicide and update their treatment plans....