SD behavioral health center will no longer admit autism, Alzheimer's patients

Alyssa Rege -

Rapid City (S.D.) Regional Hospital officials said they will no longer admit patients who suffer from dementia, Alzheimer's and autism to its behavioral health center, according to KOTA News.

Hospital officials said the decision was made to ensure the safety of each patient.

Regional Hospital psychiatrist Mark Garry said placing autistic patients or patients facing memory loss in a room with potentially violent or suicidal patients creates an "explosive setting," according to the article.

Residents in the area expressed concern over the decision, arguing that the nearest state-sponsored hospitals equipped to handle autistic patients on "the eastern side of the state" are "just too far away," according to the article.

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