Commonwealth Health Increases Behavioral Health Capacity
12/30/2013
KINGSTON, PA – Commonwealth Health is expanding behavioral health resources in Northeastern Pennsylvania with the addition of 20 inpatient adult psychiatric beds at First Hospital. The new beds are dedicated to care for the most complex acute behavioral health cases, increasing the hospital’s capacity to 127 beds, growth of nearly 20 percent.
Additional renovations across the hospital create a welcoming environment and reorganize the space to better support counseling, patient services and administrative functions. Reception is now on the first floor to welcome patients and visitors immediately upon entering the facility. A large atrium now serves as a waiting area and another provides a classroom and therapy offices for the Transitions Partial Program for adolescents. Admissions has four private rooms for psychiatric evaluations and a dedicated business office. The former dining room now houses a suite of offices for five psychiatrists. Upgrades and modernization improve safety, comfort and appearance, including the renovation of patient bathrooms and showers.
“This expansion enhances our ability to care for patients with the most complex, acute behavioral health concerns,” said David Liskov, M.D., medical director of First Hospital. “With more resources available here in Northeastern Pennsylvania, individuals can get the care they need close to home without traveling outside the region.”
First Hospital is Northeastern Pennsylvania’s only free-standing private psychiatric hospital and the region's leading provider of inpatient psychiatric treatment for children, adolescents and adults. It is also one of only two psychiatric hospitals in Pennsylvania to earn recognition from The Joint Commission as a high performer on measures of quality, putting the hospital in the top 15 percent of psychiatric hospitals in the U.S.
“Improving access to mental health resources continues to be a national concern,” said Mark Schor, chief executive officer of Commonwealth Health Behavioral Health Services. “We are committed to providing a range of mental health services to serve our community. With the completion of this investment we have more capacity to support this important need in our region.”
Commonwealth Health provides a comprehensive system of behavioral health services for individuals and families who suffer from psychiatric or substance abuse disorders through First Hospital and its affiliates Community Counseling Services and CHOICES program for addiction; Moses Taylor Hospital in Scranton and Berwick Hospital in Berwick.
About Commonwealth Health
Commonwealth Health is Northeastern Pennsylvania’s largest network of hospitals and health care providers, with eight hospitals, two multi-specialty physician practice groups and five home health and hospice agencies. Affiliated hospitals are Berwick Hospital Center, First Hospital, Moses Taylor Hospital, Regional Hospital of Scranton, Tyler Memorial Hospital and Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.
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