July 24th, 2008

Secretary of the Department of Public Welfare Estelle Richman halted referrals to Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic yesterday after a string of deaths and serious incidents occurred at the clinic.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported today:

“Welfare Department officials said the temporary halt on referrals would allow time for state, county and Western Psychiatric officials to conduct a service review of its procedures and practices.

Western Psychiatric is being singled out because six of 10 serious incidents, known as sentinel events, that have occurred in Allegheny County in recent months involve people who have received outpatient mental health services from that agency, state officials said.”