A Look At The Security Hospital's Much-Needed Improvements
ST. PETER, Minn. (WCCO) – A rare look was given Thursday into the Minnesota Security Hospital, the state's largest facility for the mentally ill and dangerous.
The Department of Human Services wants to highlight the urgent need for staffing increases and updates to the building in St. Peter.
On Wednesday, Gov. Mark Dayton said that years of neglect have made the state's psychiatric hospital unsafe for workers and patients.
The hospital's medical director, KylieAnn Stevens, says the facility's programs have been underfunded for decades.
"This has resulted in unsafe environments that do not promote recovery," she said, adding that the hospital has only three full-time psychiatrists to serve the building's 300 patients.
She'd like to see at least 10 more psychiatrists and nurses hired, as well as additional support staff.
A media tour of nearly-complete facility construction on Thursday showed improvements that came from $56 million approved in the 2014 bonding bill. Hospital administrators say the new building designs will make the treatment of patients more efficient.
In particular, the patients will be able to be divided into smaller groups.
"So, if you're not doing so well, being with 20 other people isn't helpful," said Carol Olsen, the hospital's forensic services director. "Being with only 6 makes a world of difference."
Some patients in transitional care, such as Sean Otis, expressed concern about the quality of care at the hospital.
"In my experience, I've been here about 10 years, I've seen an increase in flow of patients through here," Otis said. "But sometimes they come back because they're not quite ready."
