Men and women who have been experiencing complex medical conditions and co-occurring mental health disorders often find that the totality of their challenges prevents them from getting the help that they need.
For example, some medical concerns may preclude admission to a traditional inpatient psychiatric program, while certain mental or behavioral healthcare issues can prevent an individual from being admitted to many medical treatment centers.
At TrustPoint Hospital, individuals who are dealing with medical and co-occurring psychiatric needs can get the focused personalized care that will address all of their needs and significantly enhance their quality of life in our Medical Psychiatry Unit.
The Medical Psychiatry Unit features integrated services from TrustPoint Hospital’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences as well as our Department of Medicine. The unit is specifically designed to provide comprehensive care to adults who have a primary medical diagnosis and a secondary psychiatric diagnosis.
Care in the Medical Psychiatry Unit is provided by an interdisciplinary team of professionals whose experience and expertise allows them to identify, assess, and develop comprehensive plans to address individuals whose needs include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Cardiovascular disease and anxiety or depression
- Dementia with behavioral problems
- Nutritional disorders and altered mental status
- Infection or electrolyte imbalances and delirium
- Substance overdose or withdrawal syndromes
When a patient enters the Medical Psychiatry Unit, he or she completes a comprehensive multidimensional evaluation that will guide the development of a comprehensive personal treatment plan. In addition to addressing the type and level of services that the individual will receive while in the Medical Psychiatry Unit, this plan will also include rehabilitation, health promotion, social service interventions, and the commitment of key personnel and support staff to optimize the patient’s health, increase his or her functional capacity, and enhance his or her ability to live with the greatest degree of independence.
Depending upon each patient’s unique strengths, needs, and treatment objectives, the following elements may be included in his or her personalized treatment plan:
Medication management: Patients in the Medical Psychiatry unit are seen by an internist and a psychiatrist on a daily basis. Those whose symptoms can be eased via prescription medications may also receive medication management services from members of our nursing staff.
Individual therapy: Individual therapy sessions are scheduled on an as-needed basis for patients in the Medical Psychiatry Unit. These sessions, which will be conducted by an experienced social worker, can be ideal forums in which patients can process successes and setbacks while also receiving guidance on issues related to their treatment and recovery.
Group therapy: Patients in the Medical Psychiatry Unit whose physical needs do not prevent them from participating in group therapy may benefit from social work and nursing groups that are conducted through our Adult Behavioral Health Unit. The following are among the topics that may be addressed in group therapy sessions during an individual’s time at TrustPoint Hospital:
- Disease/disorder education
- Medication management
- Relationships
- Communication skills
- Grief and loss
- Guilt and shame
- Anger management
- Stress management
- Healthy boundaries
Visitation: Visitation on this unit is on Tuesdays. Please note that visitors under the age of 18 are not permitted. Visitors are required to leave all of their personal items including cell phones and purses/bags in their car when visiting. No food or outside items are permitted during visiting hours. All visitors must follow the conditions of visitation posted at the hospital entrance.
Family therapy: When necessary and appropriate, patients in the Medical Psychiatry Unit and their family members may participate in family therapy sessions under the supervision of an experienced social worker.
Respiratory therapy: Respiratory therapy, including tracheostomy management and decannulation, Trilogy, oxygen (O2) weaning, and CPAP and BiPAP management services are among the services that are available for patients in the Medical Psychiatry Unit.
Physical therapy: Patients with issues related to movement and flexibility may receive a variety of physical therapy services, as well as access to orthotics, prosthetics, and wheelchair consultations with staff.
Occupational therapy: Patients in the Medical Psychiatry Unit whose medical conditions have negatively impacted their physical functioning may also benefit from a host of occupational therapy services as well as ultrasounds, electronic stimulation, and kinesio taping when necessary.
Speech therapy: Patients in the Medical Psychiatry Unit who can benefit from speech therapy services may work with one of TrustPoint’s experienced speech therapists. These professionals may administer vital stimulation and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluations in order to determine if the patient’s ability to swallow is impacting his or her communication skills and overall health.
Discharge planning: Preparation for an individual’s life after TrustPoint Hospital begins the day that he or she arrives in the Medical Psychiatry Unit. Throughout an individual’s time in our care, the members of his or her treatment team will develop a thorough discharge plan that will identify the referrals and services that will support his or her efforts to experience long-term success.
To learn more about the Medical Psychiatry Unit, or for additional information that you may have about any aspect of treatment at TrustPoint Hospital, please contact us at your convenience. We look forward to answering all of your questions and helping you to make the most informed decision for yourself or on behalf of a loved one.
