Admissions Process
Intake
Patients can be directly admitted to either our inpatient division, which provides the most acute level of care or our Transitional Living division for patients who will reside in houses located at the hospital and receive intensive treatment but who do not require an inpatient level of care. In either case, the Admission process starts with an intake over the telephone. A patient, a family member or a concerned professional can call to initiate the process. Admissions clinicians will collect demographic, insurance and clinical information during the telephone call and will make an initial recommendation for treatment. A referral from a psychiatrist or therapist is not required but we welcome their input and strive to maintain communication with outpatient providers during the admissions process and inpatient stay.
In some cases, we might require that a patient obtain medical clearance before admission. This will ensure that any medical condition will be appropriately addressed prior to and during a stay at Silver Hill Hospital. Our clinical staff will maintain communication with outpatient providers during the medical clearance process to ensure a prompt admission appointment.
Admissions Assessment
Once the intake is completed the patient will be scheduled for an assessment. The admissions assessment is very comprehensive and takes about three hours. It includes an initial triage, a level of care assessment with an admissions clinician, a psychiatric assessment and a physical examination. With all this information, one of our clinicians will call the patient's insurance company to attempt to confirm the patient's benefits and, if appropriate, to request authorization from the insurance company to utilize the benefit.
Our psychiatrist will discuss the admissions team's clinical findings with the patient and family and decide which Silver Hill Hospital Unit is most appropriate for treatment. Inpatient care for adults with psychiatric disorders, substance use disorders and dual disorders is provided in one of three locations: Acute Care Unit, the Patricia Regnemer Main House and The Lodge. Inpatient care for adolescents is provided in the Patricia Regnemer Main House Adolescent Program . The three houses at Silver Hill that are exclusive to Transitional Living are: Barrett House - a 14-bed unit for women, Scavetta House - a 19-bed unit for men and River House - a 12-bed co-ed unit.
Patient Handbook
Upon arrival patients and their families are provided with a Patient Handbook. It contains important information about your rights and responsibilities as a patient. Other practical information like directions to the hospital, visiting hours and allowed items is also included in your Patient Handbook. It is your responsibility to read this information, ask questions about it and to keep your Patient Handbook for future reference.
Patient Sign-In
Before going to the assigned unit the patient will sign all admissions paperwork which includes a request for voluntary admission, acceptance of financial responsibility for hospitalization, and a release of information to a family member or outside clinicians involved in your care. Co-pays or deductibles will be collected.
Search
All the patient's belongings will be searched and all items that are not allowed will be sent home with family or secured in our safe until discharge. Please refer to the section What to Bring for complete information on items permitted on the inpatient units. |
