Answers to Questions Frequently Asked Eastern State Hospital
What is Eastern State Hospital (ESH)?
Eastern State Hospital is one of two state-owned psychiatric hospitals for adults. The hospital provides evaluation and inpatient treatment for individuals with serious or long-term mental illness that have been referred to the hospital through the Regional Support Network (RSN) system or through the criminal justice system. Eastern State Hospital is the regional state psychiatric hospital for 21 eastern Washington counties.
Eastern State Hospital is a certified and accredited smoke-free hospital, which complies with the requirements of the Joint Commission and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Eastern State Hospital Units
Adult Psychiatric Unit (APU) - The APU provides inpatient hospitalization for adults 18 to 50 years old who are severely mentally ill and are committed for evaluation and treatment by a civil court proceeding.
Geropsychiatric Unit (GPU) - The GPU provides psychiatric evaluation and treatment for individuals 50 years of age and older or persons under 50 years of age with medical concerns.
Forensic Services Unit (FSU) - Patients enter the forensic (legal) unit in the hospital through the criminal justice system. Evaluation and treatment services are provided for adults prior to their trial, after they are convicted, or after they are acquitted by reason of insanity.
Treatment Teams
Each patient's treatment team is comprised of physicians, social workers, rehabilitation therapy staff, and nursing staff. They work with the patient to identify strengths and goals and establish a discharge plan. Families and significant others are encouraged to be active members of the patient’s support network.
Patient Advocate
The Patient Advocate’s office provides services to patients at Eastern State Hospital to help them resolve conflict and complaints. The Patient Advocate can be reached at (509) 565-4520.
Who qualifies for hospitalization at Eastern State Hospital?
Adults age 18 or older qualify for services at Eastern State Hospital . Patients are committed through the judicial system under RCW 10.77 or civilly committed through RCW 71.05.
How can someone be referred for services at Eastern State Hospital?
Civil - Patients may be detained by a designated mental health professional or transferred from a community inpatient psychiatric facility under RCW 71.05. Following admission, the treatment team will meet with the patient to complete assessments and then identify diagnoses, treatment goals and discharge plans. If the patient requires additional hospitalization follwing the initial detention period, the treatment team will make a referral for continued hospitalizaion and a court hearing will occur.
Family members should contact their local regional support network, mental health center, or crisis network if they feel their family member needs hospitalization to maintain his/her safety or the safety of others.
Forensic (legal) - Admissions to the Eastern State Hospital forensic (legal) unit are through the criminal justice system.
What if I don't agree with a decision about receiving care at Eastern State Hospital?
You should talk with your treatment team if you have questions or concerns about your treatment. You can also file a patient complaint which will be investigated by staff. You may call the Patient Advocate at (509) 565-4520 ( in hospital dial 4520)
How can I find out more about Eastern State Hospital?
Contact the hospital at (509) 565-4000
What are Hospital Patient Rights?
During treatment at Eastern State Hospital, state and federal law protects patients to ensure they are given care, treatment and privileges that enhance their dignity, promote their welfare, and protects their civil rights. To obtain a copy of the rights of patients at Eastern State Hospital, contact the Patient Advocate's office.
Where is Eastern State Hospital Located?
The hospital is located 20 miles southwest of Spokane, Washington in Medical Lake.
Eastern State Hospital
PO Box 800, Maple Street
Medical Lake, WA 99022-0800
Phone: (509) 565-4000
Fax (509) 565-4705
How many patients are served by Eastern State Hospital?
The hospital capacity is 287 beds; 91 on the Adult Psychiatric Unit; 101 on the Geropsychiatric Unit and 95 on the Forensic Services Unit.
How can I find out who is buried in the patient cemetery?
Patients were buried in the hospital’s cemeteries from 1891 to 1954. If you have a family member that you think might be buried in the hospital’s cemeteries, contact the Medical Record Department at (509) 565-4335. The staff will determine if you are authorized to receive information regarding patients who have been buried in the hospital’s cemeteries and will assist you with your questions.
When can I visit a patient in the hospital?
Visits and communication with family members and significant others is encouraged as it plays an important role in treatment. Visiting hours may vary with each program, but generally are from 3 pm - 9 pm M-F and 9 am - 9 pm S/S/Holidays. Please ask about any visiting restrictions that may apply individually to each patient.
How can I contact a patient in the hospital?
• You can call the patient - first time callers can call (509) 565-4000
• You can write a letter - address it to the patient
• You can contact the ward and request that the patient call you - call (509) 565-4000
• If your phone number is considered long distance, you can purchase
phone cards for your friend or family member for them to use to call you from the hospital.
What happens when someone is admitted to Eastern State Hospital?
When a patient arrives at the hospital, a physician and
nurse meet with the patient to discuss the reasons for the admission. A discharge
plan is formulated at the time of admission. The patient and staff identify
strengths and goals to achieve discharge. The patient is then introduced to
the ward staff, other patients, and his/her ward environment.
At the time of admission, the patient’s clothing and personal items
will be checked and inventoried. As a precaution against loss or theft, the
patient is asked to allow all clothing to be marked with the patient’s
name.
Patients are asked to have family members to keep all valuables.
Valuable items that are brought to the hospital are maintained in the hospital’s
safe. If a patient chooses to keep a personal item in his/her possession,
the patient will assume liability for loss.
Patients are not allowed to keep sharp or potentially dangerous items such
as knives, scissors, straight and safety razors, cigarette lighters or lighter
fluid, or glass containers or bottles. These items will be stored in the Security
Office or disposed of.
Since storage space is limited, patients are encouraged to not bring personal property to the hospital other than clothing.
The physician will assess whether a patient’s personal medications should be provided to him/her while hospitalized or if hospital medications will be substituted. Patient’s personal medications will be stored. Family members should not bring medications (either prescription or over-the-counter) to patients in the hospital.
Patients are allowed to keep a reasonable amount of spending money. Money is deposited in an account with the hospital. Withdrawals are made by notifying the designated staff member on the unit.
Will I have to pay for the cost of my care at the state hospital?
The laws of the state of Washington require that patients who are voluntary or committed are responsible for their hospitalization costs, per RCW 43.20B.330. The Office of Financial Recovery (OFR) will bill Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance. However, Medicaid will only pay for eligible patients who are under age 20 or 65 years of age and over. If it appears the patient may have an ability to pay for their cost of care, OFR will send the patient, family or representative a "Financial Questionnaire" to complete. Upon receipt, OFR will determine financial liability, based on WAC 388-855-0065, as hospitalization costs may be adjusted. An official notification stating the daily or monthly financial liability will be sent to all responsible parties. For more information, contact Denise Smith at OFR-Olympia (360) 664-5477 or Patty Hendrix, OFR-ESH (509) 565-4441.
What are patient confidentiality laws?
Eastern State Hospital believes that patient privacy and confidentiality are of primary importance during treatment. Confidentiality is the basis of therapy and the patient has the right to control access to information concerning treatment and to have his/her personal privacy assured and protected within the constraints of the treatment plan.
It is the policy of Eastern State Hospital to maintain confidential information according to state law as well as the policies and procedures of the Department of Social and Health Services. For patients to receive appropriate treatment and continuity of care, information may be shared among treating agencies and others as allowed by law and necessary for continuity of care.
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