Capitol Park Mental Health Hospital, a for-profit standalone psychiatric hospital in St. Paul, Minn., is facing reports of chronic understaffing and safety lapses less than a year after opening, The Minnesota Star Tribune reported June 30.
The 144-bed psychiatric hospital, co-owned by Franklin, Tenn.-based Acadia Healthcare and Minneapolis-based Fairview Health Services, is staffing fewer than 50 of its licensed beds. The $80 million facility opened in fall 2025 to address Minnesota’s shortage of psychiatric beds, a shortage exacerbated by health systems cutting behavioral health capacity.
Here are three things to know:
1. Seven workers said they quit or are considering leaving over chronic understaffing, insufficient security for violent incidents and inadequate care for patients, especially for individuals with co-occurring conditions.
After less than a year, three of the hospital’s four original medical staff members have since departed, including a psychiatrist, according to the report.
2. The hospital has no internal security officers, only hiring guards to patrol outside overnight. Workers are expected to press wearable panic alarms when encountering violent patients and wait for coworkers to assist, relying on de-escalation and physical response training.
In 2022, Minnesota regulators raised concerns before permitting construction of the hospital, questioning whether the staffing model and lack of an emergency department could pose safety risks or a lower level of quality care.
In mid-May, an unannounced visit from a Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry inspector — prompted by a complaint — found workers properly trained in the security plan and the hospital addressing violent incidents as needed.
3. One nurse resigned after three months when supervisors did not act on her recommendation to transfer a patient with self-inflicted head injuries to an emergency room; the hospital does not operate its own emergency room. The individual also complained of 12-hour shifts without breaks and lack of security to assist with violent patients. In a resignation text, the nurse wrote she valued her nursing license and did not feel comfortable working in the environment.
In a separate case, a nurse was attacked during an overnight shift but did not receive help due to coworkers being in a room where they could not be notified of the alarm.
Lastly, a nurse practitioner said she left after being berated by administrators for providing wound care to a patient with warts. They also overrode her recommendation for continued suicide monitoring of a patient who later attempted self-harm, according to the report.
In a statement shared with Becker’s, the health system said “Fairview is committed to providing safe, compassionate and patient-centered care where we provide care or clinical support, and to supporting care teams in environments where they can do their best work. We take any concern about patient care, staff safety or workplace experience seriously.
This commitment extends to Capitol Park Mental Health Hospital, a joint venture with Acadia Healthcare to support access to inpatient mental health care in our region.
Acadia manages Capitol Park’s day-to-day hospital operations, including staffing, nursing operations, safety and facility policies. Fairview participates in quality oversight processes, including through representation on the Board of Directors and Patient Quality Committee.
When concerns are raised about medical care, including medication management, evaluation of medical symptoms, medical history review, admission appropriateness, or escalation to a higher level of care, Capitol Park Hospital reviews them through appropriate clinical and quality channels.”
In another statement shared with Becker’s, a spokesperson from the hospital said “Capitol Park addresses a critical community need, delivering compassionate, evidence-based care for individuals in acute mental health crisis, with a focus on stabilization and recovery. We value our partnership with Fairview Health Services and work together to ensure high-quality patient care.
We operate within a highly regulated, accredited environment and maintain rigorous standards in staff training and clinical protocols. Concerns are reviewed and addressed through established processes to maintain accountability and consistency in quality care delivery.”
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.