I have great confidence in Riverview Psychiatric Center in Winthrop to address the issues causing loss of their Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services certification.

Above politics, it is an essential aspect of a larger system which is one of the better in the country. Communities, families and those directly served have to have faith the services are provided in a safe, secure and effective manner.

The facility has a long history of care delivered by extraordinary people. Although it is not as widely published as the struggles, many are served well.

Reaching out a helping hand to people who are scared, confused and who have been the victim of abuse in the past is always dangerous.

The counterintuitive truth is you cannot make care safer if distresses and fear are not addressed.

Trauma-informed care practices, those being embraced by the leading psychiatric facilities (including Riverview), teach through relying on the skill of the practitioner to establish safe, therapeutically aligned relationships and effective treatment.

Tasers, pepper spray and more restraint might initially seem legitimate strategies but in reality they have been shown to increase violence.

This is why organizations like CMS and The Joint Commission prohibit their use.

The difference between a contender and a champion is how well they handle adversity and stay on a plan.

Let us not for the purpose of politics or entertainment allow each unfortunate setback force a change.

I have had the privilege of working with many of the quality staff at Riverview. I have seen their hard work. I know they possess the ability to achieve incredible outcomes.

This is why I am confident that Riverview will be successful in addressing the current problems and become the center of excellence it needs to be for all people in Maine.

David Proffitt

former superintendent of Riverview Psychiatric Center

Winthrop

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