By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The remodeled Behavioral Health Unit at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center opened July 1.
"Our inpatient unit at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center offers more acute care for patients who may pose a threat to themselves or others and need 24-hour supervision and assistance with medication management and therapies," said Dr. Veronica Amey-Perrin, Medical Director for Horizons Mental Health Center. "That's to help them do more of an acute intervention before they can be safe to follow up with outpatient care."
Horizons and Hutchinson Regional staff collaborate heavily on inpatient care.
"The hospital employees include, master's level therapists, activity personnel, nurses and CNAs," said Liz Mansur, APRN, Director of the Behavioral Health Unit at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. "Horizons personnel are myself, the director and then the psychiatrists as well as all of their mid-levels, the APPs and they are there daily, as well."
Mansur noted that making sure those who need it get treatment is the reason the unit exists.
"For me personally, the biggest win is when a mental health patient realizes that mental health is exactly what it says it is," Mansur said. "It is a health concern. It does not make them odd or different. It is a health concern that needs to be addressed."
The remodel was done after feedback from the Joint Commission, an international accreditation organization that certifies best practices for improving care.