AMHI gains approval of accrediting agency

AUGUSTA – Maine’s psychiatric hospital in Augusta, which endured intense scrutiny of lawmakers and courts during the 1990s after a lawsuit over conditions at the facility, has received high grades from a national accrediting organization.

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospital Organizations gave the Augusta Mental Health Institute high scores in several areas, including medical and psychological services and environment in which care is given. Scores are based on national standards.

AMHI Superintendent Lisa Kavanaugh said the accrediting agency also was pleased with how well the hospital’s staff works with patients. The survey was conducted last week by experts in psychiatric care from around the country. The Bangor Mental Health Institute was accredited by JCAHO in December. The next survey at the two hospitals is due in three years.

Accreditation is taken into account in determining whether facilities can receive federal funding. from federal programs.

After a series of patient deaths and a class action lawsuit by patients in the 1990s alleging bad conditions at AMHI, a consent decree calling for improvements was issued by state Superior Court.