(AP) – Osawatomie State Hospital, a psychiatric hospital operated by the state of Kansas, has been over its capacity several times this year.

The Wichita Eagle reports that the hospital was over its 176-bed capacity for the first nine months of this year, and by as many as 24 residents in July.

But the State Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services points out that the hospital’s average daily census for fiscal year 2011 was 173.

Marilyn Cook, director of Comcare, which provides mental health services for Sedgwick County, has expressed concern about whether patients are receiving adequate treatment because of the high capacity. Cook recommends regional treatment centers so patients can get help closer to their homes.

SRS, however, says there’s no plan to move toward a regional system.