g8orgirl
Fort Pierce,#2Consumer Comment
Fri, May 10, 2013
I have been a patient at this facility approximately 4 times and I agree and disagree with the above reports. First I would like to point out that persons detained under the Baker Act have not been arrested, the Baker Act is Florida's name for an involuntary commitment to a mental health facility, it has nothing to do with being arrested or being in some sort of legal trouble. I can understand that the original poster was nervous about being on the same unit as people who have been Baker acted especially if she's never been in any kind of psychiatric facility. That being said, when I was at PSL hospital the involuntary patients (Baker acts) were kept on a seperate unit from the voluntary patients. When I was there this unit was known as the ITS (intensive treatment services) unit. If you were an involuntary patient you absolutely had to go on the ITS unit, no exceptions. I was placed on ITS once even though I was a voluntary patient, it happens when there are no other beds available on the other units.
As fas as the facility being filthy and/or dirty, I honestly didn't see that when I was there. In fact there was a cleaning crew that came in almost every day and cleaned the unit as well as the patient rooms and bathrooms. I was a patient there between 2008-2009 so maybe their cleaning policies changed since then. I agree that the smoking patios were not very well ventilated, the smoking patios are off the main living room area and it does smell like cigarette smoke quite badly at times. I'm not sure why the OP was told she would have a private room, there is only one private room on each unit. All the other rooms are doubles. I'm also not sure why she was told they would be taken on outings (to the beach) as I never saw that happen. As far as phone calls being monitored, I was not aware that this was going and if it was I was never told about it.
I have seen patients consulting with the doctors in open areas within hearing distance of the other patients. The particular unit I was on though the consulting took place in a small room away from the other patients. You are not allowed to bring in any electronic devices (cell phones, laptops, ipods etc.) so I'm also not sure why they would tell someone they could bring in a kindle. I can't comment on what was wriitten/not written in files and charts. I've never seen my own chart nor have I ever requested to do so.
I'm sorry the OP had a bad experience, I think she was expecting a rehab/detox facility and this facility is mostly considered a psychiatric hospital. I do agree that at times the units seemed understaffed and this could potentially be a problem in the future. My stays there weren't horrible but I've been in and out of psych hospitals quite a bit so I guess some of the stuff I'm just used to. I think overall this place is an okay facility, not the greatest but not the worst either. And I totally understand about running out of cups. When I was there we were given a styrafoam cup and told not to lose or misplace it as it would be our only cup on the unit. I though that was ridiculous, that they couldn't afford cups for the patients. Overall I would reccomend this facility to people who need to go inpatient for addiction and/or mental health issues. It is a private facility so one needs to have insurance. It's not fancy though, just your run of the mill psych/addiction facility. I do agree the inside needs some maintenance, this facillity has been around since about the mid 1980's (used to be Savannas hospital) and it hasn't really been updated.
Sonja
Lee,#3Consumer Comment
Thu, April 04, 2013
My sister is there right now and has confirmed everything you
said about the place. She flew in from NY and was
told she is going to a "good place". I am afraid
for her safety like you were. She came down with
A bad cold/flu the night she got there and they
Took her cough drops (Ricola) from her,
and said she couldn't have them and last
night gave her 2 prescriptions AND some
cought syrup at the same time that could
potentially cause a severe drop in blood pressure
and respiratory depression...I hope to hear from
her this AM and have booked her ticket back for
this Monday I just hope she is ok still by then. I will ad
to this post after I hear back from her.