The state's budget shortfalls have forced millions in cuts at the state's psychiatric hospitals, State Hospital South and State Hospital North, with "disturbing" results, Kathleen Allyn, division administrator at Health & Welfare, told JFAC this morning. "The hospitals have difficulty staffing the units at safe levels," Allyn told lawmakers. So far, they've not lost accreditation, she said, but hospital managers feel they're "on the edge." Since 2009, the state hospitals have seen a "increasing use of restraints and seclusion," which are considered "emergency measures." There also has been an "increase in hospital-to-staff assaults." Said Allyn, "These are disturbing trends."

Meanwhile, the patients are more seriously ill, meaning the hospitals are dealing with "higher acuity clients with fewer staff." Said Allyn, "A great deal of pressure has been placed on the hospitals, and the risk for bad outcomes increased."