 | Behavioral Health
Inpatient Behavioral Health
This four-unit, 80-bed department delivers care to acutely ill adult and geriatric patients with general psychiatric and chemical dependency disorders. The nursing staff works closely with social workers, occupational therapists and physicians in facilitating the care of each patient. Nurses on these units are heavily involved in educating patients about mental health issues and dealing with chronic illnesses. For example, they may teach medicine management, illness management or stress reduction and relaxation. Regions nurses also have a wide range of responsibilities to meet the needs of our behavioral health patients. They may review chemical dependency programs with their patients, support patients through the legal process as needed and be aware of the special needs of patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy. Many nurses on the units become certified as psychiatric nurses; others seek additional schooling to become psychiatric clinical nurse specialists or psychiatric nurse practitioners.
The usual type of patients seen in the Behavioral Health Department includes those with suicidal, manic, depressed, psychotic and/or explosive behavior, as well as patients with chemical dependency or in situational crisis. Behavioral health patients with medical conditions and some who have undergone surgery may also be cared for on one of the units.
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