Feds Give Minnesota Deadline for Fixes at Anoka Hospital

ANOKA, Minn. (AP) — A federal report says Minnesota's second-largest psychiatric hospital could lose millions of dollars in funding if it doesn't correct some patient and staff safety issues.

A memo from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has notified state officials that the Anoka-Metro Regional Treatment Center is in jeopardy of losing its ability to bill the federal government for services. The state has been given until March 5 to correct deficiencies.

The loss of $3.5 million in annual federal funding could further impair the hospital's efforts to treat mentally ill patients from the Twin Cities metro.

The Star Tribune reports there were 48 aggression-related injuries involving 28 patients at Anoka-Metro in 2015. The union representing workers at the facility has suggested hiring armed security guards.