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June 24, 2008

CVPH Children's Mental Health Unit to reopen

<a href="mailto:jmeyers@pressrepublican.com">By JEFF MEYERS</a>

PLATTSBURGH -- The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit at CVPH Medical Center, which has been closed since May 19, is set to reopen July 28.

Hospital officials made the announcement Monday afternoon, noting that Dr. Diane Zuniga, medical director for the unit since it opened in 2001, is doing well following a surgical procedure and expects to be back on the job from medical leave in late July.

STAFF TRANSFERRED

"We are the only child and adolescent unit in central New York," noted Mary Krakowski, program director of Mental Health Services at CVPH, adding that having the local inpatient facility allows families to participate in their child's treatment program.

The regional facility also allows the Mental Health Unit to work closely with outpatient services in the community so a patient's care continues once discharged from the hospital, Krakowski added.

Employees on the 12-bed unit were given the opportunity to transfer to other positions throughout the hospital so they could continue working until the facility could reopen.

"We found out on the Wednesday before we closed that we were closing, and it was a shock to us all," said Sarah Newtown, a registered nurse in the Child and Adolescent Unit. "The staff has been placed someplace in the hospital, from materials management to dialysis.

"We're one big family," she said of the staff. "Right now, it's like having my brothers and sisters spread all across the U.S. I can't wait to get them all back together again."

BETTER FINANCES

The hospital also announced that the New York State Department of Health has paid CVPH retroactive to Jan. 1, 2007, to reflect an increase in reimbursement rates for physician services to patients covered by Medicaid.

"The improved rates will help us invest in this program," said CVPH President Stephens Mundy, noting that the rate change will translate into a $500,000 savings that will help offset the unit's $1.5 million loss in operating costs in 2007.

The North Country has been on pins and needles the past several months, with concerns that the Mental Health Units might be forced to close because of the shortfall.

But Mundy said that he, the staff and the Board of Directors are committed to the units.

"We believe there is a need and that we can find a way" to continue operating the unit, he said. "Outcomes are so much better if we can keep the care local so that families can participate in the recovery."

RECRUITING DOCTORS

The 18-bed Adult Unit has remained open and is being staffed by temporary physicians, which is a more costly expenditure than having permanent physicians on staff.

However, Mundy said the positive news that the hospital has received of late has been favorable on the recruitment process.

"We have an offer out to one psychiatrist and serious inquiries from two others," said Michael Hildebran, director of public relations and marketing for CVPH. "We are cautiously optimistic about looking for others."

The hospital would like to have four full-time psychiatrists, he added, two for each unit. Not only will it give the units full medical coverage, but it will also help reduce the deficit even more by eliminating the more expensive temporary physicians.

STEPPED UP'

The positive news was met favorably by the local health-care community.

"I have to commend CVPH for meeting the challenge and keeping the unit open," said Sherrie Gillette, director of community services for Clinton County. "It would have been easy to take closure as a way out, as other hospitals have done, but they've stepped up to the plate."

Clinton County alone has 600 children enrolled in Mental Health outpatient services, and many of those children and their families rely on inpatient services when that care is needed, she added.

jmeyers@pressrepublican.com

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