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Behavioral Health Services St. Mary's Hospital offers both an inpatient and day treatment program to provide area residents with comprehensive behavioral healthcare. The inpatient service provides hospitalization for adults and adolescents with emotional and behavioral problems. For individuals who are able to take advantage of treatment during business hours, the day program provides a highly structured therapeutic environment to teach health maintenance and coping skills.
The Behavioral Health Department also offers round the clock emergency psychiatric evaluations and crisis intervention. Our multi-disciplinary treatment team includes a psychiatrist, social workers, counselors, therapists and a highly-trained nursing staff.
Renovating for the Future
The St. Mary's Hospital Behavioral Health Unit is one of the departments that will undergo a major renovation in the coming months. As the only facility in Southern Maryland to offer a unique Saturday program, St. Mary's Hospital provides area residents with the opportunity to seek assistance on a basis that is most convenient for them. Already a unique resource in the community, Rob Elrod, Director of Behavioral Health at St. Mary's Hospital, is excited about the department's upcoming renovations."As our unit undergoes this transformation, we look forward to providing an even more comfortable environment for both our day treatment patients as well as those who take advantage of our inpatient program."
Funded in part by a Maryland State Bond, the construction is slated to begin in August of 2006. The department will begin to see changes almost immediately and plans to move into the new addition by early next year are underway. "The focus of this renovation is on increasing patient safety and comfort. We want to ensure that our patients and their visitors have a positive experience when they are at our facility," says Mr. Elrod. |
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Safety First
One of the department's goals is to increase communication between hospital staff members and patients. To meet this challenge, a comfortable lounge area will be constructed for inpatients directly in front of the nurses station. This will allow patients to better communicate their needs with staff members, while enjoying quality activities in a large room filled with natural sunlight. Adjacent to these open quarters are plans for a therapy room. Constructed with sound proof glass to permit for patient confidentiality, the room will also be in direct view of the nurses station to promote better supervision and safety.
Dr. Robert Konkol, Chief of Psychiatry at St. Mary's Hospital, is enthusiastic about the changes taking place in the inpatient portion of the unit. As the Behavioral Health Unit’s founder, he brings over 20 years of experience to the program. “During the renovations, this department will take on a more home-like feeling. Not only will it be carpeted to soften noise and provide extra protection against falls, but it will include bedrooms, a living space and even a kitchen. Additionally, a laundry room will be available to inpatients who wish to utilize those facilities.” These creature comforts will create an inviting place to help patients focus on healing. When complete, the unit will offer spacious accommodations for 12 inpatients.
Friends and family members who have come to spend time with loved ones will also enjoy a separate waiting area as well as designated spaces throughout the department for private visits. The increased privacy will allow for patients and their guests to meet in a comfortable environment, uninterrupted by outside activity.
Improving Day Treatment Care
Dr. Konkol is also pleased with the proposed improvements for the day treatment program. “Individuals in our day program will have complete separation from our inpatients after the renovation is complete. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations that governs our facility recently set new regulations to ensure the comfort and safety of behavioral health patients. We look forward to upgrading our current arrangement to meet and exceed these guidelines.” In addition to offering patients more privacy, those in the day treatment program will also be granted the freedom to come and go from the unit, much as they would during a visit to a doctor’s office. This will offer community members a more relaxed environment in which to seek treatment and counseling. |
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A Team Effort
St. Mary's Hospital respects the knowledge and experience that its employees bring to the job. Because of their in-depth understanding of behavioral health, many staff members were asked to assist during the planning stages for the renovation. According to Dr. Konkol, nurses, medical staff, social workers and counselors played an important role in shaping the look and feel of the new unit. "They were an integral part of developing our new facility. Each individual in the department brought a unique perspective to the architectural table." The result is a true collaborative effort among the many talented, highly-trained staff members at St. Mary's Hospital.
The unit is also looking forward to adding additional staff members to help patients seek treatment more effectively. During the renovation, an office for a second therapist will be constructed, providing space for more frequent patient-counselor interaction. With an expected completion date of April 2007, the hospital staff is looking forward to offering area residents the finest treatment options available.
Reaching Out
At St. Mary's Hospital, patients are cared for in a nurturing, respectful environment by teams of highly qualified healthcare professionals. If you would like to speak with a member of our staff regarding the available behavioral health services, please contact the Emergency Psychiatric Services Coordinator at 301-475-6227.
Visitor Information
Visiting hours are 6-8 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays and 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Sundays and holidays. Two visitors are allowed at a time per patient. All visitors must sign in at the nursing station. All packages must be inspected. Visitors under the age of 12 are allowed with permission of the charge nurse. Special exceptions can be made at the discretion of the psychiatrist.
Contact Information:
Behavioral Health
Main: 301-475-6227
Fax:301-475-6169
St. Mary's Hospital Mailing Address:
25500 Point Lookout Road
P.O. Box 527
Leonardtown, Maryland 20650
Main: 301-475-8981 |
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