Rio Grande State Center/ South Texas Health Care System

Under the Texas Department of State Health Services, Rio Grande State Center/ South Texas Health Care System(RGSC/STHCS) is the only public provider south of San Antonio, Texas that offers  healthcare, inpatient mental health services and long term mental retardation services.  This unique configuration of services has been provided to the Rio Grande Valley since 1956.

RGSC/STHCS is accredited by The Joint Commission.   The Joint Commission is an independent, not-for-profit organization, which sets standards for, and evaluates health care organizations in accordance with nationally recognized guidelines. The standards include an organization's level of performance in key functional areas such as: patient rights, patient treatment, medication management, and infection control. They also focus on the hospital's ability to provide safe, quality care. To earn and maintain accreditation, an organization must undergo an on-site survey by a Joint Commission survey team at least every three years. RGSC/STHCS was last accredited in 2005. RGSC/STHCS is also certified by Intermediate Care Facilities for Mental Retardation (ICF-MR), Medicare, the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA), the American College of Radiology (ACR), and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA); Certificate of provider-performed microscopy procedures.

Joint Commission Web Site Links For Patients and Families

File a Joint Commission complaint

General Information about Mental Health Services

Our psychiatric hospital is a 55 bed in-patient facility (27 beds are certified by Medicare).  Services are accredited by The Joint Commission for people diagnosed with acute mental illness, ages 18 and older.  Mental health services are provided to the following eight counties:  Brooks, Cameron, Duval, Hidalgo, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg and Willacy.

The admission process to RGSC/STHCS requires screening and referral by the local mental health authorities.

RGSC/STHCS offers treatment to people who require emergency/crisis hospitalization for their mental illness. The population consists of individuals who suffer from persistent and disabling mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder or other severely disabling mental disorders.

General Information about Mental Retardation Services

Our long-term program is a 77 bed residential facility.  Services are accredited by The Joint Commission and Intermediate Care Facilities for Mental Retardation (ICF-MR) for people diagnosed with mental retardation, ages 18 and older.  Mental Retardation services are provided to the following 12 counties:  Brooks, Cameron, Duval, Hidalgo, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Willacy, Jim Hogg, Starr, Webb, and Zapata. 

The admission process to RGSC/STHCS requires screening and referral by the local mental retardation authorities.

RGSC/STHCS offers services to consumers with cognitive disabilities, autism, dual diagnoses (Mental Retardation/Mental Illness) and related disorders.  Consumers must need a structured environment and program that cannot be provided in the home or community setting. 

General Information about the Out Patient Clinic

Our outpatient medical clinic provides primary care services to adults living in the lower Rio Grande Valley.  Services are accredited by The Joint Commission, Medicare, the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA), the American College of Radiology (ACR), and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA); Certificate of provider-performed microscopy procedures.  The Outpatient Clinic services are provided to the following four counties:  Cameron, Hidalgo, Willacy, and Starr. 

The registration process to the Out Patient Clinic requires proof of residency, income verification, and a form of identification. 

The Clinic ‘s scope of services includes:  Primary Care, Women’s Health, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Diagnostic and Social Services.  In-Patient TB hospitalization for complications is available via contract.

Affiliation Agreements for Educational Experience –

• University of Texas, Brownsville – RN, Phlebotomy, and Laboratory Programs
  
  
• University of Texas, Pan American – RN and Social Work Programs
  
  
• Valley Grande Institute, Weslaco – Radiology Program
  
  
• Texas State Technical College – Health Information Technology Program
  
  
• University of Texas Health Science Center – Regional Academic Health Center – Psychiatry Program
  
  
• South Texas College – RN Program
  
  
• Career Centers of Brownsville – Medical Aide Program
  
  
• Valley Baptist Family Practice Residency Program

Last Updated April 17, 2007