Behavioral Health Unit (Adult Psychiatric Inpatient Program)
Program Description
The Behavioral Health Unit at Abington Hospital – Jefferson Health provides comprehensive assessment, short-term intensive psychiatric treatment, medical management and discharge planning services to adults and their family members.
Treatment Team
The Adult Inpatient Program uses a multidisplinary treatment team approach with all its patients. The team is composed of adult psychiatrists and geropsychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, social workers, primary therapists, internists and creative arts therapists who are all trained and experienced in treating adults with emotional health problems.
Program Goals
- To provide comprehensive medical and psychiatric assessment and diagnostic services.
- To treat acute psychiatric illness in adults in a sensitive, caring manner.
- To assist patients in regaining and maintaining their highest level of function.
- To assist patients and their families in identifying and obtaining necessary financial, social and medical resources.
Program Services
Assessment
Comprehensive evaluation to identify individual strengths and needs, leading to the development of a treatment program with the patient.
Psychiatric Supervision and Medication Management
Comprehensive treatment services to address medical and psychiatric issues. Patients are encouraged to continue to see their private psychiatrists and medical doctors for continuity of care.
Group Therapy
Provides the patient with a supportive setting to explore feelings and to seek practical solutions to interpersonal problems.
Individual Psychotherapy
Daily sessions with the patient's psychiatrist or their designee.
Psychoeducational Groups
The Relapse Preventions Group teaches the patient specific techniques for identifying, monitoring and managing the warning signs of relapse. The Medication Group teaches the patient which medications are most effective for their illness, possible side effects and the need for compliance with their physician's orders.
Job Skills, Community Resources, Leisure Planning Groups
Pragmatic, hands-on type groups to help the patient develop skills necessary to function independently and successfully in his or her environment.
Occupational Therapy
Provides a creative outlet to improve concentration, decision making and social interaction through a variety of crafts.
Stress Management Groups
Aid in the identification of stressors and teaches coping skills to help modify one's lifestyle to reduce stress.
Social Skills
Will improve social competence by identifying deficits, teaching specific skills and giving the opportunity to practice new techniques in a supportive environment.
Self-Awareness Groups
Provide a milieu to reflect on positive past experiences and build new ones to improve self-esteem.
Relaxation Groups
Breathing, imagery and muscle-relaxing techniques are offered to relax the body and clear the mind.
Recreation Therapy
Activities are planned to foster socialization and leisure skill enhancement.
Art and Music Therapy
Assist the patient to communicate that which is difficult to verbalize. Art therapy fosters self-awareness and self-growth while improving communication skills.
Discharge Planning and Case Management
Assist the patient in identifying and obtaining supportive resources and services, and in making a successful transition to partial hospital, intensive outpatient or outpatient therapy.
For more information about the Adult Inpatient Program, please call the administrative director at 215-481-2583. Call 215-481-2525 for 24-hour admissions.