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Officials: Psychiatric facility is an ‘imminent threat'

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An "imminent threat" is how the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services described a local psychiatric facility that helps teenagers.

DHHS is recommending that the Strategic Behavioral Center in south Charlotte be suspended from Medicare and Medicaid and they ordered the center to stop all admissions effective immediately until conditions improve.

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The state released a 137-page report from a January investigation that included an allegation of a staff member striking a patient.

The state sent letters to the facility this week saying staff created an unsafe environment by failing to communicate the resident's patterns of leaving and history of violent behaviors to staff members.

The letter also said 10 residents were able to leave the facility and that residents destroyed wooden furniture.

Residents made weapons which placed other residents and staff at risk, the letter said.

The facility failed to secure unit doors and provide the supervision necessary to ensure the health and safety of residents, according to the state.

DHHS officials said it's recommending a 23-day termination from Medicare and Medicaid due to noncompliance with the law.

The imminent threat is ongoing, DHHS officials said.

The investigation was forwarded to the Division of Medical Assistance.

The state Medicaid office in Raleigh will determine if any action will be taken based on the recommendation.

This is not the first time the facility has come under fire.

A former worker at the center was charged in November with statutory rape of a child under 15.

The CEO told Channel 9 they conducted a thorough investigation and that Williams hadn't worked there since July.

Cox Media Group

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