St. Vincent Charity Hospital Launches Geriatric Psychiatric/Medical Psychiatric Unit

Hospital Hires Saint Michael and Deaconess Hospital Staff to Accommodate Geriatric Psychiatry Program

Cleveland, OH (Winter 2004) — St. Vincent Charity Hospital (SVCH) recently expanded its behavioral health services with the launch of a new Geriatric Psychiatric/Medical Psychiatric Unit.

The program, transitioned from University Hospitals Health System Saint Michael Hospital (SMH), positions Cleveland’s downtown hospital as one of only a few facilities in the area to specialize in psychiatric treatment for the elderly, as well as providing medical treatment for psychiatric patients.

“Prior to the opening of our program, patients presenting with both medical and psychiatric problems were admitted to medical units where they may have had a consult with a psychiatrist,” said Michele Laffin, RN, administrative director, SVCH Behavioral Health. “Our new unit allows us to concurrently meet the medical and psychiatric needs of these patients in a specialized setting.”

According to Laffin, the hospital is actively recruiting behavioral health professionals and plans to increase staffing by 50 percent to accommodate the new unit - including the hiring of 11 former SMH and 3 former Deaconess Hospital Caregivers and counting.

Combining the latest research and most progressive treatments, SVCH’s geropsychiatric program focuses on the needs of the elderly by using a specialized approach that combines medical, psychiatric and geriatric expertise. The interdisciplinary team includes physicians, geriatric psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, therapists - art, occupational and recreational, pastoral/spiritual care specialists, chemical dependency educators and access to specialty physicians.

“Elderly patients have challenges beyond the younger patient, due to the losses that may occur with aging, such as loss of memory, health and independence, as well as the grief associated with the loss of friends and family members,” Laffin said. “The expertise of our geriatric team is extremely helpful to individuals and families who must deal with these and other special challenges that are often present in elderly patients.”

According to the Administration on Aging, in 2000, around 35 million adults – nearly one in every eight Americans -- were age 65 or older. By 2030, America’s elderly population is expected to double to 70 million. Facing this rapid growth among the oldest age groups, healthcare providers must address the increased need for geriatric care. “As our nation ages, the need for geriatric specialists and programs will grow,” Laffin said. “At St. Vincent Charity, we’re ready to address those needs now.”

SVCH is one of the only area hospitals to offer comprehensive adult psychiatric services, including emergency psychiatric intervention, inpatient services, detoxification, outpatient services and specialists in geriatric and medical psychiatry. “Our renovated Geriatric Psychiatric/Medical Psychiatric Unit expands our existing inpatient adult psychiatric services,” said Philipp Dines, MD, Ph.D., Medical Director, SVCH Psychiatric Services and Behavioral Health Department.

Psychiatric treatment at SVCH is goal-directed and encourages patient participation. “We work with each individual to understand not only their particular health care needs, but also their family situations,” Dines said. “Caseworkers strive to provide the help patients need in the least restrictive environment.”