From Seattletimes · · 2m
WA Patients Wait Months After Being Ready for Release
WA psychiatric patients deemed ready to leave hospitals wait months for discharge despite state commitments to speed up process.
In brief
WA psychiatric patients deemed ready to leave hospitals wait months for discharge despite state commitments to speed up process. Washington state patients who are medically ready for release from psychiatric hospitals average six months waiting after being deemed safe to leave, costing taxpayers $615,000 annually…
Discharge timelines
Patients entering Washington state hospitals for psychiatric treatment must be released within 14 days, 90 or 180 days depending on risk level.
Waiting periods
Patients deemed ready for discharge often wait months after being found no longer to need high-level medical care.
2022 settlement
Washington entered a settlement with Disability Rights Washington in 2022 to improve discharge processes and reduce wait times.
Current waits
Patients wait an average of six months after being deemed ready for discharge, despite state commitments.
Housing barriers
Patients face housing shortages and financial barriers that delay discharge after being deemed ready.
Costs of delay
Holding patients in state hospitals costs $1,684 per day, adding $615,000 annually per patient.
Civil commitment
Civil commitment patients have no criminal charges but are found dangerous to themselves or others.
Discharge planning
State begins discharge planning when clinical teams determine patients no longer need inpatient treatment.
2022 agreement
Washington agreed to build an online database tracking discharge wait times after 2022 settlement.
Wait time data
Patients waited 230 days in September 2021 and 174 days by September 2025 after being deemed ready for discharge.
Eastern hospital
Eastern State Hospital patients wait two to three months after being deemed ready for discharge.
Patient confusion
Patients report confusion about discharge process and what steps they need to take.
Housing challenges
Many patients lack affordable housing options after discharge, leading to homelessness.
Peer support shortage
Shortage of peer supporters hinders transition to independent living after discharge.
Transfers to other facilities
Most patients transferred to other state-run facilities rather than released to community.
Discharge outcomes
20-50 patients per year are discharged directly to homeless shelters, fewer than a dozen to the street annually.
At a glance
Washington state patients who are medically ready for release from psychiatric hospitals average six months waiting after being deemed safe to leave, costing taxpayers $615,000 annually.
