Trident Health To Open New Behavioral Health Unit
October 14, 2014
$3.9 million unit set to open October 23
CHARLESTON, SC – On Tuesday October 21 at 4:00 p.m., Trident Health will hold a ribbon cutting for its new behavioral health unit, “Lowcountry Transitions at Trident Medical Center.” The $3.9 million inpatient unit is 8,400 square feet and will begin accepting patients on October 23.
Trident Health and its parent company HCA saw a need in the Lowcountry for a facility that offers appropriate mental health care for people struggling with severe depression, substance abuse, schizophrenia or other behavioral health issues. Lowcountry Transitions provides a safe, easy to access facility where they can safely receive attention and treatment.
The shortage of appropriate areas for care of this population has grown worse in recent years. Trident Health has seen the effects in its hospital emergency rooms, where patients with behavioral health problems have sometimes stayed in limbo for days, even weeks, until a bed can be freed up at a licensed behavioral health facility. Registered nurse Deborah Parker has directed the behavioral health unit at Colleton Medical Center and will oversee the unit at Trident. “This means more treatment will be available,” says Parker. “People don’t have to suffer.”
The 17-bed unit at TMC will treat adults who need around-the-clock care because of issues related to mental health and other behavioral issues. TMC’s behavioral health unit will be self-contained on the hospital’s first floor, she explains. “There is a hallway directly from the emergency department to the behavioral health unit, which will provide an efficient admission process, as well as confidentiality for patients.”
The unit will include a group therapy room, an activity/dining room, a quiet day room and a small outdoor space for fresh air. Trident Health has also outfitted the unit so it will be as safe as possible. For example, all fixtures in the room and bathrooms are designed to prevent self-injury. “It’s very costly, but it’s best for our patients to make sure they are safe,” said Rob Dupont, Program Director.
Patients will be checked on every 15 minutes and cared for by physicians, nurses, technicians and social workers who have previously worked in behavioral health, says Parker, who has a master’s degree in psychiatric nursing. An activity therapist will be involved as well. “We are going to encourage patients to come out of their rooms, interact socially and attend therapeutic groups so they can learn about their illness, their diagnosis, their medications and different coping skills.”
Trident Health
Trident Health is an HCA hospital system comprised of two acute care hospitals – Trident Medical Center and Summerville Medical Center – as well as two free standing emergency departments- Centre Pointe Emergency and Moncks Corner Medical Center. The Joint Commission recently named Trident Health to their list of the nation’s top hospitals for quality and safety. In 2013, Trident Health provided almost $50 million in charity and uncompensated care and contributed over $30 million in taxes. Accredited by The Joint Commission, Trident Health is committed to providing quality health services along with wellness information and opportunities to the communities it serves. For more information about Trident Health, please visit our website at www.tridenthealthsystem.com or call 843.797.7000.
