State hospital review boards in Minnesota

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Healthcare Administration
• Mental Health Services

Background:

• Minnesota established state hospital review boards eight years ago.
• These external bodies oversee facilities for the mentally ill and mentally retarded.
• Board members are appointed by the commissioner of public welfare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the structure and function of Minnesota's state hospital review boards.
• To outline the review process and reporting mechanisms.
• To assess the role of external review in mental health care.

Main Methods:

• External review boards conduct frequent hospital visits.
• Reviews include commitment papers, treatment procedures, and patient records.
• Boards interview patients and hospital staff.

Main Results:

• Boards ensure individualized treatment plans and assess procedural propriety.
• Patient concerns are recorded, and records are randomly reviewed.
• Findings are reported to the commissioner and hospital administration.

Conclusions:

• External review boards provide oversight for state mental health facilities.
• These boards play a crucial role in patient care and hospital accountability.
• The system ensures adherence to treatment standards and patient rights.