The demand for behavioral health services has increased over the past five years. However, inpatient care facilities for individuals facing emotional, traumatic or behavioral challenges have significantly declined in the Chicago area and across the nation. Rush takes pride in continuing to serve adults with behavioral health needs who require inpatient care. Inpatients are cared for in one of two units, totaling 24 beds. One unit specializes in treating adults with mood disorders, while the other provides care for individuals with various diagnoses that often affect sensory perception.
Achieving high-quality care scores can be challenging for inpatient behavioral health units due to stringent regulatory requirements, and individuals receiving care are often admitted involuntarily. Nonetheless, these inpatient units have much to celebrate, thanks to the skilled and persistent efforts of a multidisciplinary team. This team includes three attending physicians, two nurse leaders, a nurse educator, 26 nurses, 18 support staff members, two social workers, two occupational therapists, a pharmacist, and close partnerships with the security team. Some of the team and unit’s achievements include:
- The Press Ganey patient experience scores have consistently improved over the past five years, rising from the 43rd to the 58th percentile, corresponding to an increase in the mean score from 85.29 to 87.56.
- A Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services quality measure for hospital-based inpatient psychiatric services promotes low restraint usage. These units decreased restraint use by almost 50%.
- Staff injuries have dropped by 50% since 2020 and continue to trend lower than comparable units.
- The Joint Commission’s latest survey revealed no clinical findings.
- Fifty-three percent of nurses are working towards a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree to enhance their education.
- Seventy-seven percent of eligible nurses have obtained specialty certification, demonstrating their knowledge of best practices and expertise in caring for individuals with behavioral health needs.
As we move into the next fiscal year, this small but mighty department looks forward to continued teamwork and strong patient partnerships to enhance the quality of care even further!