Healthcare Innovations in Delaware: Christiana Care opens new Behavioral Health Unit at Wilmington Hospital

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The following curated announcement appeared in Delaware Business Now.

Christiana Care Health System has replaced its inpatient Behavioral Health Unit at Wilmington Hospital with a new, expanded facility.

“The new inpatient Behavioral Health Unit at Wilmington Hospital reflects the Christiana Care Way of serving our neighbors as expert, caring partners,” said Chief Operating Officer Sharon Kurfuerst. “We wanted to create an environment that demonstrates to both our patients and their loved ones that we will provide the very best care. Our upgraded unit incorporates the latest advances in inpatient behavioral health.”

The 21,000-square-foot unit— more than double the size of the old space—is outfitted in complementary earth tones. There are natural wood touches and natural light. All of the rooms in the unit are comfortable and residential in nature, a release stated.

“We’ve greatly enhanced the therapeutic environment and the programs that we provide,” said Linda Lang, M.D., chair of Department of Psychiatry and medical director of the Behavioral Health Service Line at Christiana Care. “The layout of the unit and the materials have all been carefully selected to create a state-of-the-art behavioral health space. We’ve created areas with a focus on specific populations.”

 

Features include:

  • Four pods to address specific needs: geriatric behavioral health issues, acute behavioral health issues, a dual diagnosis of behavioral health and substance use disorder and behavioral health/medical issues. Each pod has self-contained programming and a dedicated nursing station.
  • Additional staff hired to provide care to the expanded patient population.
  • An overall increase in bed capacity from 24 to 30 beds as of Nov. 12
  • Safety design features recommended in the New York State Office of Mental Health’s Patient Safety Standards, Materials and Systems Guidelines. The features were created to reduce the risk of harm to individuals in inpatient behavioral health hospital settings.
  • Increased treatment space for group therapy, education and private one-on-one treatments, all of which overlook the Brandywine.
  • Two patient dining rooms.
  • Visitor reception area and lockers for patients, family and friends to store belongings.

The new Behavioral Health Unit is in space formerly occupied by surgical operating rooms that moved to the Carol A. Ammon South Tower. The vacant area allowed Christiana Care to renovate without the need to close the unit temporarily.

The Behavioral Health Unit offers short-term care. The average length of stay is five to seven days. Admission is voluntary.

 

Articles posted do not reflect the views or opinion of DCHI but are meant to inform and to foster meaningful discussion about the opportunities and challenges driving healthcare reform.

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