Behavioral Unit To Be Revamped: Lovelace To Focus On Geriatric Clients

Winthrop Quigley

Aug. 29, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Lovelace Health System announced Thursday it will replace the inpatient adult behavioral health unit in its Downtown medical center with a new unit that specializes in geriatric inpatient behavioral health care.

The 22-bed unit today serves an average of 12 to 14 patients who typically stay about five days, according to Lovelace CEO Ron Stern. Lovelace will invest about $50,000 to convert to a geriatric-only facility by about Oct. 1.

Elderly patients are expected to stay in the facility about 10 days on average, because it usually takes longer to properly medicate older patients. Stern said the unit could be expanded to 42 beds if there is enough demand for services.

"We've been caring for geriatric patients, but the way the unit was configured it's very awkward to put young adults and geriatric patients in the same space because of safety issues for the geriatric patients," Stern said.

The unit will continue to be managed by Haven Behavioral Healthcare Inc., a Nashville, Tenn., company, Stern said. Haven CEO Vernon Westrich said Thursday in a telephone interview that Medicare reimbursement for geriatric behavioral health is inadequate and has been declining. The conversion to geriatric care was based on unmet community needs, he said, adding, "To be financially driven would be a nonstarter for Lovelace."

In a letter to Lovelace, H. Huson Middleton III, a physician who specializes in geriatrics, said the few geriatric beds available at the University of New Mexico and Kaseman Hospital "are chronically overwhelmed. The prospect of additional beds is exciting and long overdue."

Westrich said he expects the geriatric unit to help dementia patients gain skills that could help them stay in their homes. He said older patients often deal with severe depression, and some become addicted to medications. Younger patients are usually hospitalized for psychotic diseases such as schizophrenia, and many are suicidal, Westrich said.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0010-27771711