Randall Burns, the Director of Behavioral Health, on Feb 1, explained to the House Health and Social Services Finance Subcommittee the overcrowding crisis in psychiatric facilities including psychiatric emergency rooms.<\/p>\n
Mr. Burns while explaining the crisis stated that books have been written concerning the downsizing of state-run Alaska Psychiatric Institute. As long time patient advocates we do not need books to explain the lack of beds and lack of quality care for acute care psychiatric patients.<\/p>\n
Every major hospital in Alaska through their lobbyists and influence pushed for a smaller API, knowing that if there was a crisis in care for psychiatric patients, they could step in and make a lot of money.<\/p>\n
Hospitals like Providence Alaska Medical Center Psychiatric emergency room is not set up to properly care for acute care psychiatric patients for 2 or 3 days and poor treatment hinders recovery.<\/p>\n
A decade ago a Seattle hospital had psychiatric patients lined up in the hallway, strapped down to gurneys. You could hear patients crying out to go to the bathroom, for a glass of water and see staff just walking by. With the continuation of poor planning in Alaska, that is where Alaska is heading, all so a few facilities can make money.<\/p>\n