HOCC Behavioral Health Unit Celebrates 1st Anniversary
It’s been a year since The Hospital of Central Connecticut opened a spacious and state-of-the art inpatient psychiatry unit at HOCC’s New Britain General campus, and the newly designed space has been making a big difference for patients.
Hundreds of patients from throughout the Central Region have received care at the 32-bed unit, which provides mental health and substance abuse services to people 18 and over. Since opening in June 2015, the unit has served 559 patients through May of 2016 — an increase of 3 percent over the same period a year before. The unit’s expanded services have allowed it to increase its ability to keep patients within the Behavioral Health Network for admissions, said Christine Scully, director of Behavioral Health Services for the Central Region.
But while the numbers have been impressive, Scully said it is the quality of the experience that the unit’s team is able to provide patients that is truly exceptional. The team, comprised of psychiatrists, nurses, nurse technicians, social workers and occupational therapists, has made numerous improvements in the care delivery model. Creative strategies have been put into practice as a result of teamwork and best practice research regarding Therapeutic Sensory Modulation Interventions. Each patient room, including the seclusion room, is equipped with therapeutic colored lighting that correlates with best practice and research to help improve mood. Inpatient Psychiatry clients now have the comforting benefits of a Sensory Kit, including personalized music, aromatherapy, weighted blankets and other tactile devices.
“I am very proud of the work we are doing,” Scully said. “It is exciting to see how the new space has benefited our clients and opened the door for so many improvement possibilities. We are fortunate to be in this position and I am confident we will continue to grow.”