The needs of patients at ASH can be complex and the patients are vulnerable, so it’s critical to ensure the facility uses best practice treatment and is following a rigorous set of regulations. To achieve fidelity to best practice standards, it’s critical that the governance structure ensures accountability and is free from conflicts of interest.
The existing governance structure is insufficient to ensure quality care is provided at ASH. The fundamental flaw is that ADHS both runs & regulates ASH.
The lack of independent regulation of ASH results in poor accountability and can lead to unchecked substandard care when ADHS leadership soft-pedals oversight to give the impression that the facilities are providing care that meets standards.
SB1710 reforms of the governance structure by removing ASH from ADHS, separating ADHS’ operational and regulatory responsibilities re ASH by creating two separate entities (ASH would no longer be a part of ADHS).
A 5-member State Hospital Governing Board would be responsible for the oversight of ASH. The Superintendent would report to the Board rather than the ADHS Director. ADHS would then regulate the hospital without an institutional conflict of interest.
I’ve written a summary of how ASH is currently governed and why I believe SB1710 is so important. Here is that summary: Fixing the Governance Flaw at Our Arizona State Hospital: A Primer
I’m confident SB1710 will have the needed votes in the House this week… but whether the Governor will sign it is an unknown. There are no doubt forces within the executive branch that will do a full court press to urge her to veto this important intervention. Let’s hope commonsense & reason prevail!
