Consultants provide update on Montana State Hospital assessment

HELENA — On Monday, a state legislative committee heard from the consultants who’ve been introduced in to assist handle the continued points at services just like the Montana State Hospital.

Diane Rafferty and Chris Baglio, of the agency Alvarez and Marsal, spoke in entrance of the Kids, Households, Well being and Human Companies Interim Committee.

The Montana Division of Public Well being and Human Companies employed Alvarez and Marsal to do a complete evaluation on seven state-run well being care services.

“The aim is to create sustainable enchancment at every facility,” Baglio stated.

A lot of the eye has centered on MSH, which has confronted ongoing considerations about staffing and affected person security. The Facilities for Medicare and Medicaid Companies terminated its supplier settlement with the Heat Springs facility earlier this yr, citing a report that recognized quite a few deficiencies – together with some that led to affected person deaths. DPHHS has since changed the hospital’s administrator and introduced in contractors to handle the problems.

“These are points which have been long-standing and constructing over time,” stated Baglio. “In order we’re working towards that lasting change, which goes to take time, we’re additionally in search of short-term wins – alternatives the place we will present some enchancment now.”

The consultants acknowledged the persevering with problem of recruiting workers – notably nurses – which has required MSH to make use of contracted staff. In addition they stated there’s been a scarcity of wanted workers coaching.

Rafferty stated one of many largest points has been a scarcity of the information they’d want to trace high quality enchancment. She stated MSH doesn’t have digital well being information.

“Once we attempt to perceive the usage of restraints, the usage of remedy, we’ve to undergo 100 paper charts,” she stated.

Rafferty stated DPHHS is taking a look at switching to an digital information system, but it surely’s possible a number of years away. Within the meantime, she stated they’ve requested directors at MSH and the opposite state services to determine two knowledge factors they will begin monitoring to get a greater understanding of high quality of care.

“These metrics have by no means been measured, so it’s laborious to say what success seems to be like in case you’ve by no means measured it,” stated Rafferty. “That’s why we’re ranging from scratch.”

Rafferty stated she believes fewer of the intense incidents that had been seen at MSH have occurred prior to now few months. She credited the change in management, working with the workers and help from DPHHS.

“Small steps, however we’re making the correct strikes,” she stated.

She additionally recognized one key optimistic: the dedication of MSH workers.

“The individuals which can be nonetheless there actually care about their sufferers and are proud to return to work daily, and once they see issues within the press and so they see the unhealthy issues, it’s been laborious on their morale,” she stated. “A lot of these workers will keep, so it’s our job to get them educated, get them competent, take a look at the care supply mannequin, take a look at our affected person outcomes and make it possible for the sufferers are in the correct place, on the proper time, with the workers to ship their care.”

The consultants stated they’ve accomplished a “tradition and local weather survey.” Baglio says the aim was to listen to considerations from workers on the services they’re evaluating and to determine methods to encourage retention. The total outcomes are set to be launched subsequent week.

Their total evaluation ought to be accomplished round October.

Additionally at Monday’s listening to, the committee moved ahead with a invoice draft that can go earlier than lawmakers throughout subsequent yr’s legislative session. By 2025, it will stop individuals from being dedicated to the Montana State Hospital if they’ve a major prognosis of Alzheimer’s illness, dementia or traumatic mind damage – until they’ve harmed or are at a direct threat of harming themselves or others.