Yankton, S.D.-based HumanServicesCenter, a state-run mental health hospital, is running without accreditation from the Joint Commission, the Argus Leader reported.
The Joint Commission is a nonprofit certifier of more than 21,000 healthcare organizations. HSC has previously tried to gain Joint Commission accreditation, though has been unable to do so. The hospital is one of five unaccredited facilities in the Western Psychiatric State Hospital Association, which represents 25 hospitals in 15 states.
Advocates of mental health said undergoing the accreditation process could have assisted HSC before a CMS inspection found patients' rights were being violated. Workers reportedly used restraints excessively while not documenting reasons for doing so. The report mentioned one patient who was kept in restraints for almost six days, according to the report.
South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard's office disagreed with advocates, saying the accreditation is an unnecessary expense, according to the report.
A South Dakota Department of Social Services spokesperson said a plan of correction was submitted to and approved by CMS in May. A CMS spokesperson told the Argus Leader Friday the hospital is on track with its plan.
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