An employee at the Guilford County Substance Abuse Center demonstrates the new secure storage for patient medication.

Among several citations, a license review by the Department of Health and Human Services found patient medication wasn't properly secured and medications weren't being administered by qualified personnel. The review also found personnel infractions, with human resources employees failing to document staff training.

"It is not acceptable not to meet those guidelines," Billie Pierce, director of mental health services for Guilford County, said.

On Aug. 15, the state said the facility would be suspended from taking in any more patients.

Suspended treatment

News 14 Carolina's Jonathan Lowe has more on the violations at the Guilford County Substance Abuse Treatment Center.

He said he's embarrassed by the findings.

"It was basically lack of oversight and attention to detail," Morrison said.

But he said within a week after the state stepped in, the center took steps to correct the problems, including firing the director of nursing and the human resources manager.

"In those two positions, we have new people who have been trained differently, who have much more experience," Morrison said.

Now Bridgeway must satisfy the state's requirements if it wants to continue serving Guilford County's mentally ill.

"If that does not occur then that will be time to have another discussion," Pierce said.

Bridgeway officials said they now have a pharmacist on site that will monitor the storage and distribution of patient medications.

The company must now submit of a plan of correction to the state by Aug. 25 for admissions to be reinstated.

The facility is operated by Bridgeway Behavioral Health of St. Louis.