“The mission of the Mental Health Division is to promote recovery and safety.”

Answers to Questions Frequently Asked Western State Hospital

What is Western State Hospital (WSH)?

Western 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.

Western State Hospital is the regional state psychiatric hospital for 19 western Washington counties for voluntary admissions and involuntary commitments. Western State Hospital serves the needs of western Washington for all individuals who have been committed as a result of a criminal proceeding.

Western State Hospital is a licensed and accredited hospital, which complies with the requirements of the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

What services are offered at Western State Hospital?

Clinical Services

Center for Adult Services (CAS)

The CAS provides inpatient hospitalization for adults 18 to 60 years old that are severely mentally ill and are voluntarily admitted or committed for care by a civil court proceeding.

Center for Geriatric Services (CGS)

The CGS provides psychiatric evaluation and treatment for individuals 60 years of age and older with acute mental illness. Depending on personal assistance needs, patients are given help with bathing, feeding, dressing, and awareness of surroundings.

Center for Forensic Services

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. The Center also provides services to certain individuals under the mental health laws that require the security of a legal unit.

Program for Adaptive Living Skills (PALS)

PALS was originally designed to help patients transition back into the community. Over the years it has become a residential facility on the grounds of Western State Hospital for patients who do not need inpatient care but have not been successful at making the transition back into the community. The PALS program will move into the community setting within the next two years.

Treatment Therapies

A team of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurses and other trained professionals work together to provide individual care and assistance with recovery. A team will develop a treatment plan for each individual, addressing individual and family needs, the social environment, medical care, vocational and legal issues. Families are encouraged to participate with the patient's consent. Medical responsibility is maintained through continuous 24-hour physician and registered nurse
coverage.

Major treatment therapies include:

Treatment does not stop when a patient leaves the hospital.

Continuing care is a vital part of the recovery process and is a big part of the treatment plan. Western State Hospital in collaboration outpatient mental health services provided in the community, work to ease the transition form hospitalization to the home and work environment. Patients and family members are encouraged to actively participate in their treatment and recovery plan.

Rehabilitative Services

Occupational Therapy is concerned with how individuals carry out daily activities. Professional therapists help the patients learn skills that will improve their daily living and work activities when they return to the community such as getting ready for work, driving to school, using a computer, or taking care of a pet.

Support Services

Mental Health Ombudsman

The Ombuds office provides services to patients at Western State Hospital to help them resolve conflict and complaints. The Ombuds is an advocate for the patients and serves as a teacher and resource person. Although the Ombuds can serve as a bridge between the patient and various agencies, he/she does not provide legal services or counseling. Patient volunteers, staff, and work-study students in the mental health field assist the Ombuds. The telephone number for the hospital Ombudsman is (253) 761-7575. The toll-free number is 1-800-558-4737.

Who qualifies for hospitalization at Western State Hospital?

Western State Hospital serves adults age 18 and older.

How can someone be referred for services at Western State Hospital?

Within the hospital there are two systems of care: civil and forensic. Patients can enter the civil wards of the hospital through a voluntary admission or an involuntary civil commitment ordered by the court. Voluntary admissions are authorized through the RSN. All involuntary commitments must be authorized by a County Designated Mental Health Profession (CDMHP). According to state law, the initial detention period is 72 hours. For an involuntary civil commitment to extend beyond the 72 hours, a court order is required.

Admissions to the forensic (legal) units of Western State Hospital are through the criminal justice system.

What if I don't agree with a decision about receiving care at Western State Hospital?

You may call the Ombudsman that serves the patients at Western State Hospital. The telephone number is (253) 761-7575. The toll- free number is 1-800-558-4737.

You may request a fair hearing if you don't agree with the decision, but you must do so within the time frame shown in the decision letter.

How can I find out more about Western State Hospital?

Contact the hospital's Public Information Coordinator. The telephone number is (253) 756-2660.

What are Hospital Patient Rights?

During treatment at Western 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 Western State Hospital, contact the Ombuds office.

What is the history of Western State Hospital?

Western State Hospital is located on the site of historic Fort Steilacoom. Fort Steilacoom served as a military post from 1849 to 1868 when the federal government abandoned it. The Washington territory purchased the fort with the intent of turning it into a hospital for the insane. The new hospital, called the "Insane Asylum of Washington Territory," opened in 1871 with 15 men and 6 women patients transferred in from Monticello, Washington.

The period between 1871 and 1875 was very difficult for the new hospital. A local businessman had contracted with the legislature to look after the daily needs of the patients. At the same time, a resident physician was hired to provide psychiatric treatment and medical care. Unfortunately, patient neglect became so bad at the hands of the businessman contractor, that the Medical Society of the Washington Territory had to intervene. The Medical Society was instrumental in influencing the legislature to abandon the dual-management system and to place total care of the patients with a medical superintendent.

Statehood in 1889 brought about another change to the hospital: the name was changed to Western State Hospital. When the number of patients reached 200, a committee was selected to locate an accessible location for a second state hospital. Medical Lake in eastern Washington was chosen as the site for Eastern State Hospital, as it was only eight miles from the main line of the Northern Pacific Railroad, and was on three stage routes.

As times changed for the new State of Washington, so did methods for treating the mentally ill admitted to Western State Hospital. Hydrotherapy was the early treatment of choice. Wet packs, hot tubs and showers were used for nearly 50 years to create a calming effect for the patients. Insulin therapy was started in the mid 1930's, followed by electric shock therapy. A surgical procedure called the frontal lobotomy was used for a period of time. It was later replaced with psychotropic drugs, counseling, and behavior modification therapies which are all still used today.

Where is Western State Hospital located?

The hospital is located ten miles south of Tacoma, Washington and one-half mile from the town of Steilacoom. The street address and main telephone number are:

Western State Hospital
9601 Steilacoom Blvd. SW
Lakewood, Washington 98498-7213
(253) 582-8900

The hospital campus consists of 56 buildings on 264 acres of grounds. There is a small settler's cemetery on the main hospital grounds and a patient's cemetery across Steilacoom Blvd. near the site of the hospital's former dairy farm.

How many patients are served by Western State Hospital?

Currently, the patient census averages just under 1,050, cared for by 1,947 employees. These numbers are expected to decrease as changes in state legislation move patients with diagnoses such as Alzheimer's, traumatic brain injury and alcohol and substance abuse, into community settings that are better suited to meet their needs.

How can I find out who is buried in the patient cemetery?

Laws in the State of Washington protect the confidentiality of mental health patients even after they have died.

Exceptions may be made on a case by case basis for a next of kin with a written release of information. Requests should be made through the hospital's Ombudsman.

When can I visit a patient in the hospital?

Visits and communication with family members and significant others is encouraged as it plays and important role in treatment. Visiting hours may vary with each program, but generally are from 9 am -9 pm daily. Please ask about any visiting restrictions that may apply individually to each patient.

How can I contact a patient in the hospital?

What happens when someone is admitted to Western State Hospital?

At the time of admission, patients' clothing and personal items will be checked and listed. As a precaution against loss or theft, you should permit all clothing to be marked.

You should ask family members to keep all valuables for you until you leave the hospital. If this is not possible, you can deposit them in the cashier's office for safe-keeping. The cashier's office will give you a receipt for each item. If you choose to keep a valuable item, you will be asked to sign a form releasing Western State Hospital from any liability for it.

Patients are not allowed to keep sharp or potentially dangerous items such as knives, scissors, straight and safety razors, cigarette lighters and lighter fluid, or glass containers or bottles. Please give these items to a family member to keep for you until you leave the hospital; otherwise, they will be locked up for safekeeping until you leave. Staff must approve all electrical appliances before you will be allowed to keep them with you on the unit.

Since storage space is limited, bring only enough clothing for one week. Laundry facilities are available, but dry cleaning will be at your own expense.

If you bring medications with you, you will need to send them home with a family member or to the pharmacy for safekeeping until you leave the hospital. Only medication prescribed by your physician will be used 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. If a personal check is deposited in your account, you must allow time for the check to clear before you can withdraw funds.

Will I have to pay for the cost of my care at the state hospital?

Any person admitted or committed to a state hospital for the mentally ill, and their estates and responsible relatives are liable for reimbursement to the state of the costs of hospitalization and/or outpatient services, as computed by the secretary, or his designee, in accordance with RCW 43.20B.325 & 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 client may have an ability to pay for their cost of care, OFR will send the client, 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) 299-4441.

What are patient confidentiality laws?

Western State Hospital believes that patient privacy and confidentiality are of primary importance during treatment. Confidentiality is the basis to therapy and the patient has the right to control access to information concerning treatment, and to have his or her personal privacy assured and protected within the constraints of the treatment plan.

It is the policy of Western 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 with the psychiatric service of the University of Washington hospital system without the consent of the patient or guardian. All confidential information is contained in a computerized records system and may be used for statistical and program planning purposes.

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This page was last modified on April 01, 2008.

For more ways to get in touch with the Department of Mental Health Services, go to the DSHS Contact Information Web page. Mental Health Related Questions Contact:



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