INPATIENT PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALIZATION

Director:  Sonya McKee, M.D.

The Mental Health and Behavorial Science Service of West Palm Beach VA Medical Center includes an acute care inpatient ward, fully staffed with two psychiatrists, two physician assistants, two social workers, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, technicians, dietary specialists and administrative personnel.  The chaplain service provides daily coverage, and a recreational therapist is also available.  The ward has 24 beds, and is designed for acute psychiatric crisis stabilization and, when indicated, medical detoxification from alcohol or drugs.  Placement service for homeless patients upon discharge is provided.  If there are acute medical or dental needs, such services are available by consult.  Provisions are available for emergency medical intervention as well.  The ward is designed to be a short-stay facility for treatment of acute psychiatric conditions which cannot be adequately stabilized in an outpatient setting.   Admission to the inpatient unit is arranged through the patient’s outpatient psychiatrist, the Mental Health Crisis Intervention Team, or by the Emergency Department physician.  Any item which could be potentially used for self-injury or injury to others is not permitted on the inpatient ward.  Visiting hours are 4:00pm-8:00pm on weekdays and 11:00am-8:00pm on weekends and holidays.