Controversial Commitments At D.C. Psychiatric Hospital Spark Legal Feud

Silhouettes filled with "YES" and "NO" signs facing each other.

A Washington, D.C., psychiatric hospital faces accusations of unethical patient commitments, sparking a legal battle that could expose widespread malpractice in mental health care.

Key Insights

The Psychiatric Institute of Washington is accused of involuntarily committing patients without medical necessity to increase insurance payments.
A lawsuit claims a patient was held for four days with falsified mental health records and denied phone access.
The hospital allegedly falsified a “safety risk assessment” to maximize insurance billing.
The lawsuit seeks damages and class certification for thousands of patients.
Universal Health Services, which operates the hospital, has faced similar lawsuits in other states.

Allegations of Profit-Driven Patient Commitments

The Psychiatric Institute of Washington, a facility operated by Universal Health Services, stands accused of a deeply troubling practice: involuntarily committing patients without medical necessity to boost insurance payments. This alarming allegation has come to light through a lawsuit that exposes potential widespread abuse within the mental health care system.

According to the legal complaint, a patient was held against her will for four days, with the hospital allegedly falsifying mental health records and denying her access to a telephone. This incident reportedly occurred after a brief evaluation following a false report by her husband, raising serious questions about the facility’s commitment procedures and patient rights protections.

Falsified Records and Lack of Treatment

The lawsuit paints a disturbing picture of the hospital’s practices. It claims that the facility falsified a “safety risk assessment” to maximize insurance billing, essentially using patients as financial assets rather than individuals in need of care. Even more concerning, the patient in question reportedly received no treatment and had limited interaction with staff during her involuntary stay.

Adding to the gravity of the situation, a physician at the facility is accused of falsifying progress notes and discharge summaries. These actions, if true, not only violate medical ethics but also potentially compromise the integrity of the entire mental health care system.

Legal Implications and Broader Impact

The lawsuit against the Psychiatric Institute of Washington alleges violations of the Americans With Disabilities Act, the D.C. Human Rights Act, and constitutional rights. This legal action seeks damages and class certification for potentially thousands of patients who may have been subjected to similar treatment, highlighting the potentially widespread nature of these unethical practices.

In response to these serious allegations, the city’s behavioral health department has undertaken a review of 600 cases of involuntary admission. This investigation underscores the gravity of the situation and the potential for systemic issues within the mental health care system in Washington, D.C.

A Pattern of Misconduct?

Notably, this is not an isolated incident for Universal Health Services, which operates over 400 private for-profit hospitals in the U.S. and U.K. The company has faced similar lawsuits in other states, including a $122 million settlement in Georgia and allegations of abuse in Illinois. These recurring issues raise questions about the company’s practices and the potential prioritization of profits over patient care.

As this legal battle unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of ethical practices in mental health care. The case prompts a necessary re-examination of the integrity of psychiatric facilities and their commitment to patient welfare, while highlighting the critical need for robust oversight and accountability in the mental health sector.