Kerrville State Hospital

Posted by David Martin

on Jun 13, 2016

Dr. Matthew Faubion provided the program last Wednesday, educating us about the Kerrville State Hospital. Also with him was LeighAnn Fitzpatrick, the hospital superintendent.

The hospital operates 202 beds for individuals hospitalized on a forensic commitment. Most such commitments are issued when individuals are charged with a crime and they have been determined to be not competent to stand trial. Hospital programs are designed to help such individuals attain competency if possible by treating their mental illness. Care is also provided for individuals who have been judged to be Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity with the goal of treating their mental illnesses so that they may be safely returned to the community.

A few facts about the hospital:

It has the same number of beds as there were 25 years ago.

The average length of stay is about 1100 days.

The economic impact of the hospital on the community is significant: The KSH employs 570 people and has an annual budget of about 29 million dollars.

It costs about $400 per day to take care of a patient.

About 12% of patients are veterans, with varying degrees of effects from combat, and that number is expected to rise significantly in the next few years.