Watertown, New York ----- Samaritan Medical Center received final approval from the New York State Office of Mental Health for its Inpatient Mental Health Unit expansion, which increases the number of beds from 24 to 32. The operating certificate was issued on May 23, 2007.

“For the past two years, Samaritan has been working toward the expansion of our Inpatient Mental Health Unit. This expansion is in response to a critical and growing community need for mental health treatment services,” explains Spencer P. Falcon, MD, Vice President of Medical Affairs at Samaritan Medical Center. “Before the expansion, we were transferring an average of 15-20 patients a month to non-SMC facilities, because we did not have the beds available. Now we can keep the majority of those patients at SMC. The additional space will also allow us to incorporate support groups specific to our patients’ needs. Both our military and civilian families will be better served by keeping quality care close to home.”

In addition to the increase in bed capacity, the expansion also includes: two new group therapy rooms, all new thermal windows throughout the unit, a 300% increase in size of the activity room, two new interview rooms, and staff in several different disciplines have been added. In addition to the new staff, a psychologist was recently added and plans are underway to recruit additional full-time psychiatrists.

At SMC, the Inpatient Mental Health Unit team offers individualized care to patients 18 years and older in a warm, supportive atmosphere. The comprehensive treatment team includes psychiatrists, social workers, LPN’s, RN’s, mental health counselors, psychiatric technicians, certified recreation specialists and other well-trained staff members.

IMHU takes both voluntary and involuntary admissions 24 hours per day, seven days per week. The average length of stay is six to ten days depending on the diagnosis and treatment regimen. Patient families receive education and support with daily visiting hours. Patients receive extensive discharge planning including regular and timely communications with referral sources.

For more information about the Inpatient Mental Health Unit, call 779-5230.