Danville State Hospital In Repeat Violations

This story was updated 6/17/21

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

A state run facility for the mentally ill has been cited for the second time for failing to eliminate over a dozens items that could be used by a suicidal patient to end his or her life.
The violation was uncovered recently by state Health Department surveyors who were inspecting the 180-bed Danville State Hospital for re-certification in the federal Medicare and Medicaid programs.
The hospital "must be maintained to ensure the safety of the patients," the report states, adding that the findings indicate "systemic non-compliance."
The survey found that on multiple electrical beds wires longer than six feet were accessible and could be used by patients in a suicide attempt. The six foot cords were found in four of six behavioral units.
"This is a repeat violation," the report states.
In fact the same violations were cited in a April 12, 2018 inspection of the Montour County facility.
Noting that hangling and strangulation account for 75 per cent of all deaths in psychiatric facilities, the report states that the so-called ligature risk assessments were supposed to be conducted every month.
While some hospital records indicated those monthly assessments were performed, hospital staff acknowledged to the state surveyors that they were not. The hospital employees blamed the lapse on the pandemic.
Nonetheless the hospital records indicated the reports were submitted and reviewed. An employee "confirmed the documentation was incorrect," the report added.
Hospital employees also were unable to produce action plans implemented in response to the 2018 inspection.
"No documentation was provided," the report states.
The hospital provided a plan of correction in which it promised to make the electrical cords inaccessible and to educate staff on the necessity of eliminating ligature risks.
"The facility will ensure all current hospital bed cords have been secured with ties," the plan of correction states.
Spokeswoman Erin James said the plan of correction has been implemented. She also said there have been no suicides or attempted suicides at Danville in over a decade. She said there are 156 patients at the facility currently.
Still other violations were cited in the food preparation area of the facility. Dozens of logs maintained to document cleaning tasks were performed were left blank.
James said the cleaning was done but hospital employees failed to fill out the logs.
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