Overview

A recent report by Disability Rights California (DRC) has revealed significant systemic abuse at College Hospital, a psychiatric facility in Cerritos. The findings indicate a troubling pattern of excessive restraint and inadequate treatment for patients, particularly those with dual diagnoses.

The report, titled Let Me Go: Excessive Restraint of Patients at College Hospital, highlights the hospital's reliance on physical and chemical restraints, raising serious concerns about the care provided to vulnerable individuals.

Key details

  • The report documents years of abuse at College Hospital, located at 10802 College Place in Cerritos.
  • DRC began its investigation in 2022 after observing unusually high rates of restraint and seclusion in the facility's monthly data.
  • College Hospital reported 486 incidents of restraint lasting over two hours between 2022 and 2024, compared to a statewide average of just four.
  • Staff frequently bypassed required de-escalation techniques, opting for immediate physical or chemical control instead.
  • Prolonged and unjustified physical restraints, including face-down prone holds, were commonly used, which pose risks of asphyxiation and death.
  • Investigators noted that sedating drugs were often used to manage behavior rather than providing appropriate therapeutic interventions.
  • The hospital serves patients with dual diagnoses, including those with intellectual or developmental disabilities alongside significant mental illness.
  • Patients typically enter during a mental health crisis and are supposed to receive short-term stabilization.
  • Due to a lack of individualized behavioral plans and regular assessments, many patients remained institutionalized for extended periods.
  • Records from the hospital showed boilerplate language and a lack of critical therapeutic strategies, leaving patients without a clear path to recovery.
  • The report describes the hospital's failure to provide treatment plans as a form of forced warehousing.

Context

Disability Rights California serves as the state's designated Protection and Advocacy system, with the authority to monitor facilities that care for individuals with disabilities. This report sheds light on the serious shortcomings in care and treatment at College Hospital, raising questions about the standards of psychiatric care in such institutions.

What happens next

The findings of this report may prompt further investigations and scrutiny of College Hospital's practices, potentially leading to changes in how the facility operates and the care it provides to its patients.

What we don't know yet

Details regarding the hospital's response to the report, any potential legal actions, or changes in management have not been confirmed.