LewisGale Hospital Pulaski announces opening of its 16-bed Adult Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit; public tours set for Friday
LewisGale Hospital Pulaski has announced the opening of their 16-bed Adult Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit, which has been in the planning stages for over two years. Combining new construction and the renovation of existing space adjacent to the hospital, the facility will enable the Pulaski community to benefit from comprehensive behavioral health services close to home and the support of family and friends. In the past, approximately 70% of clients were sent outside of the NRV for treatment.
According to Sean Pressman, CEO of LewisGale Hospital Pulaski, “A community hospital needs to meet the community where it is. And where the community is right now is in desperate need of this service.”
The average crisis stay is five to seven days but the client can step into the outpatient level for additional treatment. Patients can be self-admitted or admitted through the recommendation of a physician or safety officer. Pressman said that the program will be ready to admit patients as early as next Tuesday.
The new Behavioral Health Program at LewisGale Hospital Pulaski will be staffed with 28 employees including physicians, nurses, mental health professionals, social workers, recreational therapists, and dietitians. A focus on balancing health and nutrition to enrich the life of the client is an important aspect of the program.
Special design features, referred to as anti-ligature or ligature resistant design, assure the safety and protection of the patients while providing privacy and dignity. Patients often use pinch points or anchor points on traditional design doors to assist in self-harm; so the bathroom doors in the Behavioral Health Units have special hinges and alarms to help prevent this from occurring. Traditional door knobs have been replaced by anti-ligature hardware that slides downward to open; and the furniture is bolted to the walls and floors.
The LewisGale Behavioral Health Unit invites the community to tour the new facility on Friday, August 23 from 11:30am to 1:30 pm.
By DANIELLE REID, The Patriot