Vista del Mar Hospital in Ventura County, California, has been suspended from treating involuntary psychiatric patients due to repeated issues with patient care, including deaths, discharges against medical advice, and physical restraint in violation of policy. The suspension, which starts on Monday, comes after concerns were raised by county officials over a two-year period from at least 2021.
In a letter to the hospital’s CEO, Colton Reed, the acting county Behavioral Health Director cited two dozen issues related to negative patient outcomes, failure to meet requirements, and ongoing errors. The suspension is based on these issues, as well as a perceived lack of progress by the hospital’s officials in addressing and correcting these problems.
The suspension will have significant implications for mental health care in Ventura County, as Vista del Mar Hospital is the only facility in the county that admits adolescents for involuntary treatment. With the suspension in effect, these young patients will have to seek treatment elsewhere. Additionally, Vista del Mar Hospital will lose its designation to treat and evaluate involuntary patients under California’s Lanterman-Petris-Short Act, a law that allows forced treatment under specific circumstances.
Following the suspension, Ventura County will only have one authorized hospital to admit involuntary psychiatric patients, the 43-bed Hillmont psychiatric unit at Ventura County Medical Center. However, this reduction in options is likely to result in longer waits for patients in emergency rooms and an increased number of placements in hospitals outside of Ventura County.
The decision to suspend Vista del Mar Hospital came after a series of issues were identified, including unsafe discharges, patient rights violations, patient-on-patient assaults, and inadequate administration of medication. The hospital submitted a plan of corrective actions in response to these concerns, but it was deemed inadequate by county officials.
Acting county Behavioral Health Director Loretta Denering expressed concerns about the hospital’s lack of a comprehensive plan to protect patient rights and address ongoing issues. She noted that Vista del Mar Hospital seemed to have a reactive strategy and only made necessary changes when problems were brought to the attention of regulators.
The action to suspend the hospital’s authorization under the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act was taken to ensure the safety and well-being of patients receiving involuntary treatment. These individuals often enter the facility in a vulnerable state due to the nature of their illness, making it crucial to protect their rights and fulfill their needs.
The decision to suspend Vista del Mar Hospital’s authorization will be presented to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors on December 5th for confirmation and termination of the hospital’s authorization. While the hospital will remain licensed and able to treat voluntary patients, the suspension will significantly impact access to mental healthcare services for involuntary psychiatric patients in the county.
Ventura County officials have highlighted their commitment to ensuring the safety of the community and clients, with the county Behavioral Health Advisory Board monitoring the situation closely. The priority remains the well-being and safety of all patients receiving mental health care in the county.
Kathleen Wilson, a reporter for the Ventura County Star, covered this story. She can be contacted at kathleen.wilson@vcstar.com or 805-437-0271.
