Washington Hospital Foundation Inc

COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING/CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING - CONSTRUCTION - WASHINGTON HOSPITAL FOUNDATION IMPROVING THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH UNIT AT THE WASHINGTON HOSPITAL. THE FACILITY IS ONE OF THE ONLY ACUTE INPATIENT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH UNITS PROVIDING 24-HOUR TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS WITH MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCIES IN WASHINGTON, GREENE COUNTIES, AND SURROUNDING SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND WEST VIRGINIA COUNTIES. IT SERVES AS A CRITICAL SAFETY NET FOR THESE COUNTIES AS THE RATES OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE INCREASE. THIS PROJECT WILL IMPROVE OUR PATIENTS’ SAFETY, AND RECOVERY SO THEY MAY RESUME THEIR EVERYDAY ACTIVE LIVES, WHILE IMPROVING THE OVERALL HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF OUR COMMUNITY. WASHINGTON HOSPITAL’S PROJECT FEATURES IMPROVEMENTS TO DECREASE LIGATURE (HANGING OR STRANGULATION) RISKS AND SAFETY UPGRADES, INCLUDING IMPROVED LIGHTING, SECURITY MIRRORS, FIRE ALARM DEVICES, A SECURE CEILING SYSTEM, NEW CARD READERS, AND A NEW NURSE CALL SYSTEM. THE PROJECT ALSO CREATES A CONSULT/TRIAGE ROOM AND AN IMPROVED SALLY PORT DOOR SYSTEM, WHICH IS A SECURE VESTIBULE AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE UNIT THAT PROVIDES A DOUBLE DOOR SYSTEM AND SERVES AS THE ONLY WAY FOR PATIENTS TO ENTER OR EXIT THE UNIT. THIS PROTECTS UNIT STAFF AND REDUCES THE POTENTIAL OF A PATIENT LEAVING THE UNIT WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION. IN ADDITION TO THE SAFETY MEASURE, NEW PAINT AND COLORS WILL PROMOTE A SENSE OF WELLBEING AND RELAXATION FOR OUR PATIENTS.