Suit says state hospital released mentally ill too early

LAKEWOOD, Wash. – Western State Hospital released mentally ill patients before they should have been discharged, with some patients reportedly even hallucinating when they left, according to evidence filed as part of a two-year-old lawsuit against the hospital.

Attorneys for Pierce County filed evidence Thursday alleging that nearly half the hospital’s patient discharges were inadequate and that nearly one-third of discharged patients returned to the mental facility within three months.

The county and mental-health watchdog groups are seeking an injunction banning substandard discharges. They also want an outside expert to monitor patient releases.

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results,” said Dave Stewart, Pierce County mental-health administrator. “That’s a component of what’s happening with Western State Hospital discharge planning right now.”

But Dr. Ira Klein, Western State’s medical director, disputed the accusations.

“We wouldn’t discharge anyone who wouldn’t meet professional standards,” he said. “We don’t pressure anyone to be discharged.”

Court documents include case studies of patients who were released to the street, shelters or motels.