Psych center in patient-dumping case reaccredited

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Authorities are renewing accreditation for a Las Vegas psychiatric hospital at the center of patient-dumping complaints.

Nevada’s chief state medical officer, Tracey Green, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that reaccreditation for Rawson-Neal Psychiatric Hospital shows that Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services is moving in the right direction.

Green says passing the review means the facility can still bill Medicare and Medicaid and remain eligible for federal funds.

Representatives with the independent Joint Commission began a regular accreditation review about a month ago, amid reports that a patient with schizophrenia and depression was given a one-way bus ticket in February to Sacramento, Calif., where he didn’t know anyone.

State officials say that within the next 45 days, Joint Commission officials will conduct an unannounced follow-up inspection.