HONOLULU (AP) — A Senate investigative committee concluded the state’s only public mental health hospital suffers from poor management, the appearance of nepotism and abuse of overtime. ADVERTISING HONOLULU (AP) — A Senate investigative committee concluded the state’s only public
HONOLULU (AP) — A Senate investigative committee concluded the state’s only public mental health hospital suffers from poor management, the appearance of nepotism and abuse of overtime.
The committee released its report about Hawaii State Hospital on Wednesday.
It said the hospital has a long-standing problem with keeping a safe work environment for workers and if the problem is not addressed, a fatality will occur.
The report came after 14 witnesses testified during 10 hearings before the committee that looked into misconduct and worker safety.
The committee found that the six top overtime earners received a total of $200,000 in overtime during fiscal year 2013. It also found that the associate chief nurse has six relatives working at the hospital and the director of nursing has five relatives working there.
Another issue was that only one person monitors 140 security cameras. In addition, the hospital lacks procedures to alert the public of escapes.
“There are very significant problems at the Hawaii State Hospital, all of which can be fixed,” said Sen. Josh Green, co-chairman of the committee. “But it’s going to take a change in the culture.”
The committee’s report includes more than 20 recommendations to improve conditions for patients and to protect the community.
The committee began hearings in March after hospital workers raised concerns about working conditions last November. More than 600 people work at the hospital, which has about 170 patient beds, but typically has close to 200 patients.
Janice Okubo, a spokeswoman for the Department of Heath, said the department is encouraged by the report and hopes it leads to more state funding. Okuba said the hospital needs money to replace the Goddard Building, a ward no longer being used, with a building that can house more patients.
Kalford Keanu Jr., 37, a psychiatric technician liked the recommendations in the report. He said employees fear retaliation from management and need better training for handling violent patients.
“I like helping out the patients,” Keanu said. “It’s a lot easier to care for the patients when you don’t have to worry about the leadership targeting you.”
