The Hawaii State Hospital is administered under a consent degree resulting from a Department of Justice lawsuit against the state over conditions there. A status hearing is scheduled May 16 in federal court. A unit specific for admissions ensures a stable, therapeutic milieu for all units. Assaultive patients should be considered for a unit with greater security. If it makes a recommendation, the employer must report back in a timely manner on actions taken.
More camera surveillance is needed in all units.
More personal alarm systems are needed, and they should be more reliable. One recent escape was made possible because the staff didn't have radios and couldn't request immediate assistance. The classification level and qualifications for guards assigned to the hospital should be upgraded, similar to those at the University of Hawaii. A hazard pay differential should be given to registered professional nurses, psychologists, social workers, ward clerks and others who work on the units or are there regularly as part of their duties.