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Scheduled Evaluation Signals Progress at Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital
December 08, 2014
For Immediate Release: December 8, 2014
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) today announced that it is contracting with Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services to conduct an independent evaluation of the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital. This evaluation is an important next step in addressing the issues involving the organizational structure and recent investigations at the hospital.
“Pine Rest has considerable experience conducting evaluations of community hospitals, providing assistance with organizational structures, and managing staffing issues,” said Tim Becker, Senior Deputy Director of the MDCH. “This assessment is a key component to establishing a comprehensive plan for the hospital moving forward and to ensuring we are protecting the safety of our patients and staff.”
The evaluation will focus on inpatient care and related organizational structure and staff. Allen Jansen, the current interim director of the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital, will work with Pine Rest staff throughout the process to ensure the assessment is conducted efficiently and effectively, with minimal disruption to employees and patient care. The evaluation is expected to run through January of 2015.
Earlier this year, the department began taking steps to change the organizational structure at the hospital to support the safety of both patients and staff, and to ensure quality care. As part of these efforts, additional direct care staff has been hired and leadership continues to work with staff on education and training regarding appropriate policies and procedures.
In October, MDCH named Jansen the interim director at Kalamazoo to oversee daily operations including management, administration, human resources, and patient care. MDCH continues to work to fill the position of the permanent, fulltime director of the hospital.
Jansen took over as interim director for Cynthia Kelly who has since returned to her fulltime position as director of the Bureau of Hospitals and Administrative Operations within MDCH. Kelly had worked in both capacities, serving as interim director of the hospital and as the director of the Bureau of Hospitals and Administrative Operations from May to October, during which time the former director of the hospital was investigated and later resigned.
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