First Local Medical Psych Care Unit To Open In Morris County

Dover, NJ - Saint Clare’s Dover Hospital will offer one of the area’s only specialized, voluntary inpatient units for those with psychiatric disorders who need for hospitalized medical care.

The new unit is scheduled to open March 3.

“The Psychiatric Medical Care Unit opening at Saint Clare’s Dover Hospital is unique and does not exist within many medical and psychiatric facilities in the area,” Saint Clare’s Health CEO Brian Finestein said.

The Psychiatric Medical Care Unit is designed to treat patients with many psychiatric conditions including early stage dementia, major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and mood disorders who are also experiencing a medical condition that may include but is not limited to diabetes, the need for oxygen, nebulizer treatments, hemodialysis, catheters, wound treatments, IV therapies, pregnancy and other medical conditions.

“Patients will receive the highest level of psychiatric and medical care on the same unit. In many situations, the unit can reduce the inconvenience of patients having to be transferred back and forth between units, or even facilities, for medical and psychiatric care.”

Those being admitted to the unit will need to be referred by a primary care physician, psychiatrist, licensed practitioner, screening center or affiliate, emergency departments or medical units within Saint Clare’s that cannot meet the client’s psychiatric treatment needs.

Prior to admission, all patients receive a face-to-face assessment by a primary physician, licensed practitioner, and a psychiatrist. The patient will then be admitted to the newly renovated unit which displays calming colors and natural light. The staff is experienced in both behavioral and medical health.

“We are excited to be able to offer this service to our communities,” said Jan Bednar, CNO, Saint Clare’s Health. “Saint Clare’s Health offers a vast array of inpatient, outpatient and emergency behavioral health services that are utilized by residents in Morris, Sussex, and Warren counties, and beyond. The Psychiatric Medical Care Unit at Saint Clare’s Dover Hospital offers our patients another level of service that takes into account their total health – psychiatric and medical.”

Criteria for Admission

Patients admitted to this unit need to meet the following criteria:

• Must be over 18 years of age, be able to sign consent for treatment, and demonstrate a willingness to engage in the necessary treatment options designed by the medical team.
• Diagnosed with a mental health condition and demonstrate behavior that will prevent the patient from healing if they do not receive immediate medical treatment.
• Additional acute medical care is needed but the patient is unable to be safely treated on a typical hospital medical unit due to suicide or other behavioral issues, or another service is not appropriate or available to meet the patient’s medical health care needs.
• Patients who come to the hospital with intoxication or substance use/abuse disorders, and have a documented psychiatric disorder, can be admitted to this unit. Withdrawal symptoms will be treated, and the patient will be asked to participate in a co-occurring disorder treatment approach.

Patients will be admitted with a primary acute need for inpatient behavioral health treatment for conditions such as:

• Bipolar disorders
• Major depression
• Mild dementia/early Alzheimer’s (must be able to voluntarily consent to treatment)
• Mood disorders
• Schizophrenia

Co-occurring conditions may include:

• Acute/ chronic renal failure
• Benign, prostatic hyperplasia
• COPD/ asthma/ respiratory illnesses
• Continuous oxygen use
• Hemodialysis
• IV therapy
• Simple and complex diabetes mellitus
• Physical/occupational therapy
• Withdrawal
• Wound care/ wound vacs

Officials noted the examples listed above are not intended to be all-inclusive and that other conditions may apply.

For more information or to refer a patient for admission, call 888-626-2111.

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