Federal Regulators Issue Safety Notice at State Hospital

SEATTLE (AP) — Federal regulators issued an "immediate jeopardy" notice at Washington state's largest psychiatric hospital after a patient was given the wrong medication. An immediate jeopardy is defined as a crisis situation in which the health and safety of people at the hospital are at risk. Inspectors with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued the notice Thursday. Western State Hospital's CEO Ron Adler notified staff in an email. The notice comes days before the hospital must show it's in compliance with CMS safety requirements or lose millions in federal funds. That deadline is March 1. Inspectors were at the facility to ensure changes were made after pervious violations were found.