Jordan Ellis
There are two hospitals in the United States that are commonly referred to as Eastern State Hospital. The first Eastern State Hospital is located in Williamsburg, Virginia, and was established in 1770. The second Eastern State Hospital is located in Medical Lake, Washington, and was opened in 1891. Both hospitals have historically been used to treat psychiatric patients.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Eastern State Hospitals | 2 (One in Washington and one in Virginia) |
| Location of Eastern State Hospital, Washington | Medical Lake, Washington |
| Year of establishment, Washington | 1891 |
| Number of patients, Washington | 312 |
| Number of staff, Washington | 700 |
| Number of patients admitted monthly, Washington | 100 |
| Location of Eastern State Hospital, Virginia | Williamsburg, Virginia |
| Year of establishment, Virginia | 1773 |
| Number of patients, Virginia | 2000 (as of 1935) |
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What You'll Learn
History of Eastern State Hospital, Washington
Eastern State Hospital, Washington, is a psychiatric hospital for adults that was established in 1891 in Medical Lake, a small community 15 to 20 miles west of Spokane, Washington. The hospital was built to ease overcrowding at Western State Hospital, which was the only hospital for the mentally ill in the Washington Territory at the time.
The original building was a Kirkbride Plan, and the current building has a similar floor plan with male and female wings extending from the main building. The hospital was initially called the Eastern Washington Hospital for the Insane, and it represented a break in the way that the mentally ill were cared for in Washington. The French theory and practice of "moral treatment" influenced the hospital's approach, which ended the use of chains and encouraged staff to treat patients as people rather than criminals. Moral treatment outlined orderly, regimented activities, such as access to a library, as part of the patients' individualised treatment plans. It also put an end to bloodletting, purgatives, emetics, and torturous hot and cold showers. However, the fundamental course of treatment was still isolation from family and friends, and non-disabled patients were required to work on the hospital grounds. While the use of restraints was limited and required authorisation from a doctor, the hospital has been the subject of several scandals over the years regarding the treatment of its patients and the quality and effectiveness of the care provided.
The site for the hospital was chosen for several reasons. It was located on three rail lines and close to the train station in Cheney. The citizens of Medical Lake donated the land, which had an ample supply of drinking water from a permanent spring, and the nearby lake was believed to have healing properties and could be used for lavatory and medical purposes. Additionally, the land had an abundance of building materials such as timber and granite, and numerous terraces for building sites. By March 1891, the first building of the hospital was completed. Standing four stories tall and 400 feet long, the bright red brick building was hailed as "one of the most handsome and imposing buildings in the state" by observers. The first patients arrived in May 1891, and the hospital has been in operation since, currently hosting both the Eastlake and Westlake campuses.
Today, the hospital has 312 beds and a staff of approximately 700, with nearly 100 patients admitted monthly. The focus is predominantly on more severe cases, with patients being involuntarily detained through court orders or medical professionals. The hospital also provides a space for group therapy and workshops. Over the years, there have been infrequent escapes by patients, with one notable case being that of a patient named Paul, who escaped during a hospital field trip to the Spokane County Interstate Fair in 1990 and assaulted a sheriff's deputy upon detainment. This incident led to the resignation of the hospital's CEO and the disciplining of several employees.
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History of Eastern State Hospital, Virginia
There are several hospitals named Eastern State Hospital in the United States. Here is a history of the Eastern State Hospital in Virginia:
The Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg, Virginia, was the first public facility in the present-day United States constructed solely for the care and treatment of the mentally ill. The hospital was built in 1773, but its foundation can be traced back to a speech made by Francis Fauquier, Royal Governor of the colony of Virginia, on November 6, 1766. In his speech, Governor Fauquier addressed the issue of the mentally ill, expressing concern and advocating for their care and treatment. Sadly, he died in 1768, before the hospital was built.
Enlightenment attitudes of the 18th century encouraged more sensitivity towards the mentally ill, viewing them as people with an illness of the mind rather than outcasts or fools. This shift in perception led to a demand for proper medical treatment and facilities for the mentally ill. Before Governor Fauquier's speeches, a person who was mentally ill was judged by 12 citizens and classified as either a criminal, lunatic, or idiot. Most of those classified as lunatics were placed in the Public Gaol in Williamsburg.
The Eastern State Hospital was established as the Public Hospital in June 1770 and began accepting patients in 1773. It was constructed on eight lots in the James City County portion of Williamsburg, with the main building facing Francis Street, one of the principal streets of the city. The original building burned down but was reconstructed in 1985.
Over the years, the hospital underwent several name changes, including "The Mad House," "The Lunatick Hospital," "The Hospital for the Insane," and "The Public Hospital." In 1841, Dr. John Galt was appointed superintendent of the hospital, with approximately 125 patients in his care. Dr. Galt introduced moral treatment practices, viewing those with mental illnesses as deserving of respect and dignity. He provided talk and occupational therapy, decreased the use of physical restraints, and proposed deinstitutionalizing patients in favor of community-based care.
By 1935, the hospital faced space issues, housing around 2,000 patients. As a result, between 1937 and 1968, all patients were moved to a new facility on the outskirts of Williamsburg, where it continues to operate today.
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Patient escapes from Eastern State Hospital, Washington
The Eastern State Hospital in Washington is a psychiatric hospital for adult patients located in Medical Lake, 15 miles west of downtown Spokane. The hospital was opened in 1891 and currently has a capacity of 312 patients, with a staff of about 700.
Over the years, there have been a few notable incidents of patients escaping from Eastern State Hospital. One of the most famous escapes occurred on September 17, 2009, when 47-year-old Phillip A. Paul, a paranoid schizophrenic, wandered away from a supervised field trip to the Spokane County Interstate Fair. Paul had been found not guilty by reason of insanity in a 1987 murder case, and his escape caused widespread distress. Supervisors on the field trip waited two hours before alerting authorities, and Paul was not found on the fairgrounds. This was not Paul's first escape from the hospital, as he had previously escaped in 1990 and assaulted a Spokane County sheriff's deputy.
Another incident occurred in June 2017 when 39-year-old Dustin Leeds escaped from the hospital and was found at the downtown Spokane train station after several hours of searching. Leeds had a standoff with law enforcement in Medical Lake, jumping into the water and making demands. Rescue crews ensured Leeds's safety, and he eventually gave up arguing and was transported to a local hospital for a mental evaluation.
The escapes from Eastern State Hospital have had consequences for the hospital's leadership and staff. Following Paul's escape, Wilson resigned from his post as the Chief Executive Officer, and seven undisclosed employees were disciplined. However, none of the employees were fired, and the incident led to a reevaluation of group community outings from the forensic ward.
While escapes from Eastern State Hospital are infrequent, they highlight the challenges of managing patient risk and ensuring the safety of the community, staff, and patients. The hospital continues to work with local law enforcement and the community to balance patient treatment and security.
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Patient treatment at Eastern State Hospital, Washington
Eastern State Hospital, Washington, is a psychiatric hospital for adults, located in Medical Lake, 15 miles west of downtown Spokane. The hospital was established in 1891 to ease overcrowding at Western State Hospital, which was the only hospital for the mentally ill in the Washington Territory at the time.
Eastern State Hospital has been the subject of some controversy over the years, with scandals regarding the treatment of patients and the quality and effectiveness of care. In 2009, an incident involving a patient named Paul, who escaped during a hospital field trip, caused outrage among community members and law enforcement officials. This led to the resignation of the hospital's CEO and disciplinary action for several employees.
Despite these incidents, Eastern State Hospital has played a vital role in treating generations of Washington state residents with mental health issues. The hospital has a capacity of 312 patients and a staff of approximately 700, with nearly 100 patients admitted monthly. The approach to psychiatric care at the hospital has evolved over time, reflecting changing understandings of mental health. Today, the hospital focuses on severe cases and provides group therapy and workshops.
Upon admission, a physician and nurse meet with the patient to discuss the reasons for their admission. A discharge plan is formulated, and the patient works with their treatment team to identify strengths and goals. Families are encouraged to be part of the patient's support network. The hospital also partners with local educational institutions to offer graduate program experiences and holds occasional workshops.
The Forensic Services Unit at Eastern State Hospital provides evaluation and treatment for adults referred by the judicial system, and the Community Competency Evaluation Program is also run by this unit. Civil commitments involve patients who may be voluntarily seeking help and are allowed privileges such as open campus and short-term unsupervised leaves. Criminal commitments, on the other hand, involve patients who are a danger to themselves or others and are in a secure unit.
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Patient treatment at Eastern State Hospital, Virginia
My search has shown that there are two hospitals named Eastern State Hospital: one in Virginia and one in Washington. In the following paragraphs, I will focus on patient treatment at Eastern State Hospital, Virginia.
History
Eastern State Hospital in Virginia was the first public facility in the present-day United States constructed solely for the care and treatment of the mentally ill. It was built in 1773, although its origins can be traced back to a speech by Francis Fauquier, Royal Governor of the colony of Virginia, in 1766. Before the hospital was built, those with mental illness were judged by 12 citizens and classified as either criminals, lunatics, or idiots. Most of those classified as lunatics were placed in the Public Gaol in Williamsburg.
Treatment Practices
In 1841, Dr. John Galt was appointed superintendent of the hospital, with around 125 patients under his care. He introduced Moral treatment practices, which viewed those with mental illnesses as deserving of respect and dignity rather than punishment. He provided his patients with talk therapy and occupational therapy, decreased the use of physical restraints, and relied on calming drugs instead. He also proposed deinstitutionalizing patients in favor of community-based care.
Patient Population and Relocation
By 1935, Eastern State Hospital housed around 2,000 patients and had run out of space for expansion. Between 1937 and 1968, all patients were moved to a new facility on the outskirts of Williamsburg, Virginia, where the hospital continues to operate today.
Recent Developments
A collection of records from Eastern State Hospital, dating from 1770 to 2009, provides insight into the administrative and operational aspects of the hospital, as well as patient life. These records include admission registers, patient treatment information, correspondence, architectural drawings, personnel records, newsletters, and financial records.
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Frequently asked questions
There are two Eastern State Hospitals in the US: one in Washington and the other in Virginia.
The Eastern State Hospital in Washington was established in 1891.
The Eastern State Hospital in Virginia was established on October 12, 1773.
The Eastern State Hospital in Washington has a capacity of 312 patients and roughly 700 staff members. The Eastern State Hospital in Virginia housed 2,000 patients in 1935 before relocating to a new facility. The current capacity is unclear.
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