Governor Corzine's Statement on His Visit to Ancora

Statement

GOVERNOR CORZINE'S STATEMENT ON HIS VISIT TO ANCORA

Sees Progress and Improvement

Governor Jon S. Corzine today visited Ancora Psychiatric Hospital to meet with employees to discuss reform measures being implemented at the facility. The Governor has visited Ancora several times and was recently there in March to view evening shift operations.

"We're on a path of significant progress and improvement," said Governor Corzine. "While steps have been taken to correct some issues that were previously identified, the Administrative Order executed by Commissioner Velez today sets forth a critical restructuring effort that will improve administration, staff development and more importantly, patient care."

Reducing the patient population and achieving greater accountability and transparency have been key issues facing Ancora. The new Administrative Order addresses these concerns in addition to patient care, which will be separated into a two tract system of Acute Care and Extended Care.

"Commissioner Velez, Assistant Commissioner Martone and Acting CEO Roberts are to be commended for stepping up to the plate and spearheading these restructuring efforts," added the Governor. "Change is never easy, but I can assure you the strides that already have been achieved are making a difference. We remain firm in our commitment to ensure a culture of wellness and recovery at Ancora."

ANCORA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER HIGHLIGHTS

An administrative order was issued by the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Human Services to restructure Ancora Psychiatric Hospital's administration and redirect staff development and patient treatment approaches toward a more therapeutic, recovery-oriented system.

The directive will achieve goals in three major areas:

Reduction in Population

* Reduce number of admissions
* Increase percentage of admissions coming from Short Term Care Units
* Reduce length of stay for new admissions

Safety, Treatment and Care

* Transform treatment to two tract system: Acute Care and Extended Care
* Ensure all hospital activities are consistent with evidenced-based treatment practices and based in the principles of wellness and recovery. Patients will have the opportunity to participate fully in their treatment.

* Reorganize psychiatric rehabilitation programs into a Treatment Mall setting that provides programmed activities including a self-help center.

* Add Director of Safety and Security within the DMHS and establishes peer counselor positions to advocate for patients.

* Provide safe and secure patient environment

Transparency and Accountability

* Provide greater administrative accountability, clinical coordination, and efficiency of operations.
* Add a Director of Staff Development and assigns new employees to a Training Unit prior to formal employment at Ancora, providing for staff development.
* Convene quarterly meetings between stakeholders and Ancora to discuss progress and solicit recommendations for sustained improvements and continued facilitation of communications with local municipalities.

* Implement weekly testing of the Community Notification System.
* Direct a progress report of activities related to the hospital to be produced by July 31, 2008 and December 31, 2008 for public review.

ANCORA IMPROVEMENT MILESTONES

* In October 2007, the DMHS released the Wellness and Recovery Transformation Action Plan describing the Division's activities related to transforming mental health services in the community and hospital system.

* DMHS is currently restructuring the organization into two main treatment areas, Acute Care and Extended Care.

* In February 2008, Olmstead, the Home to Recovery - CEPP Plan was released detailing DMHS' plan to reduce the length of stay for people on Conditional Extension Pending Placement (CEPP) status in state hospitals. Both plans are having a positive impact on Ancora's patient census.

* Current census has decreased from a high of 780. As of May 15, 2008, there were 681 patients registered at Ancora with 670 in-house and the remainder on short-term visits or in general hospitals. Reduction goal is 650 by September 2008
* 80-90% of all admissions to APH now come from short term care facilities versus emergency rooms.
* Increased number of beds at local area psychiatric hospitals.
* Two Admissions Units opened at Ancora (Wards F-1 and M-2) Nov 2007-Jan 2008. Length of stay for patients discharged from admission units is half of the LOS patients transferred to Cedar and Larch Halls.
* Census Reduction team was reformulated to identify discharge-ready patients at Ancora, and to coordinate discharge planning between Ancora and community providers.

* The most recent visit by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) took place in April, 2008. Both reports renewed Ancora's certification and licensure.

* Progress reports will be posted by DMHS on the DHS website beginning this summer.

* Community Notification System has been improved with weekly tests and expansion to a five mile radius from Ancora.

* Human Services Police Department coverage on weekends has been increased and digital cameras throughout Ancora have been installed.

* Improved drug detection systems.

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