Georgia failed to correct problems leading to federal investigations about abuse in psychiatric hospitals, ruled a federal judge. Judge Charles A. Pannell's decision revealed on-going complaints included cases of sexual assault, suspicious deaths, suicide, and physical abuse in the state's seven-hospital system. After a series of articles in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, a civil rights investigation from the Department of Justice seemed resolved based on the agreement to correct problems. According to a press release issued in early 2009 from the Department of Justice, a settlement was reached:
"Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the State will work to ensure that patients at the seven hospitals are safe and receive the care and services necessary to meet their individualized needs. Specifically, the State has agreed to undertake a variety of measures, including improving medical and mental health care and ensuring that patients are free from undue bodily restraint. The State will also improve discharge planning and ensure that each patient is served in the most integrated setting appropriate.raises the question of who will direct the hospitals now that the justice department has renewed its case."
But problems continued as recently as last month. Details about some of the 11 deaths include:
One patient who was supposed to be under constant supervision was instead left alone for an hour, during which she died; staffing was insufficient, an investigation found, and the nurse on her unit didn't know how to summon emergency help and didn't attempt to resuscitate the woman. Another patient, for whom cardiac tests had been ordered but not performed, died of a heart attack.
It's not clear what the next step will be except Georgia has placed the patients, and the hospitals in jeopardy and the department of justice is keeping on the case.
