Getting to know Children’s: Behavioral Health Inpatient
The Inpatient Psychiatry Department is a locked area designed to provide a therapeutic milieu for children ages 2 to 18 years. Children and their families are the focus of the inpatient psychiatry department. The staff’s goal is to help patients and families find ways to understanding and handling the problems they are facing in their lives. The milieu provides the patient with practice in the kinds of behaviors that will be expected of them as participating members of society. An important component of the program is close contact and communication with the patient’s family/legal guardian. When possible, a pre-admission tour of the unit is provided. Information is available on the unit philosophy, program description, patient’s rights, and general rules. If a pre-admission tour was not possible, a tour will be conducted when the patient is admitted to the unit.
The unit is under the direction of attending psychiatrists who are also the leaders of the multidisciplinary team. Members of the team meet daily and the treatment plan is updated every seven days and as needed. The treatment team includes primary therapists, nursing staff, and occupational therapists. Clinical psychologists are available for consultation and testing. The Sunshine School teachers provide educational support and assistance with school assignments. Pastoral Care is also an integral part of the multidisciplinary care delivery team.