The sole maximum-security psychiatric facility in Virginia, Central State Hospital, has seen a significant increase in medical emergencies over the past two years, according to the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services. The number of emergencies has nearly quadrupled from 2017 to 2022, with a further increase projected for 2023. While many of the calls for medical assistance may not be life-threatening, concerns have been raised about the hospital’s ability to handle these situations effectively. Additionally, there have been reports of patient deaths, including one ruled as a homicide, leading to investigations and public scrutiny.
The surge in medical emergencies and patient fatalities at Central State Hospital has raised questions about the facility’s operations and safety protocols. The increase in emergencies has been alarming, with the number rising from 13 in 2017 to almost 49 in 2022. Data from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services suggests that the hospital is on track to set a new six-year record in 2023. These statistics have sparked concerns about the hospital’s ability to effectively handle and mitigate these medical crises.
Central State Hospital staff uses a “10-60” code to request assistance when a patient requires medical attention. However, a significant portion of these calls are attributed to just four patients whose conditions have led to medical complications. These four individuals accounted for 79% of the 10-60 calls in 2022 and 52% of the calls in 2023 so far, according to Meghan Maguire, a spokesperson for the department. This raises questions about the hospital’s ability to adequately manage these patients and prevent medical emergencies.
In July, a 19-year-old patient named Tramil Anthony Brown died at Central State Hospital under unclear circumstances. Tramil, who was facing first-degree murder charges as a pre-trial detainee, was in the hospital’s sixth ward at the time of his passing. His death has prompted frustration from his mother, Tonya Brown, who emphasized that her son had been in good health and regularly visited by her and her husband. The Virginia State Police have initiated an investigation into his death.
This surge in medical emergencies and patient deaths at Central State Hospital has shed light on longstanding issues at the facility, including staff-patient confrontations. According to Dinwiddie County Sheriff DT “Duck” Adams, these confrontations have been a problem for decades. The incidents have raised concerns about the overall management and safety of mental health care at the hospital, calling for increased accountability and reforms to ensure the well-being of
