The Behavioral Health Unit at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center (HRMC) reopened atoday following an extensive $400,000 remodel.
Wes Hoyt, Chief Operating Officer for Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System (HRHS), said the $400,000 four-month project on the hospital’s third floor included a major update to each of the rooms in the 14-bed unit along with the addition of a small conference room, public bathroom and expanded laundry facilities. The unit was temporarily closed on March 10th to allow construction crews full access to the premises. Behavior Health staff were reassigned to the hospital’s Emergency Department for the short term to maintain continuation of care for psychiatric patients until they could be referred to area facilities.
Liz Mansur, Director of Behavioral Health at HRMC, said the remodel included a complete rebuild of the unit’s nursing station to provide a more open and inviting environment while increasing safety. “Hutchinson Regional is one of a few hospitals in Kansas with a Behavioral Health Unit within the hospital, so it is not uncommon to receive patients from throughout the state and we are eager to start accepting patients again”, Mansur said. “Other changes effective with the reopening include updated decor, expanded therapy sessions from five to seven days per week and additional support staff to provide behavioral health services.” 
The remodel was the result of a study conducted by Hutchinson Regional staff on how to take behavioral health to a new level of service which included discussions with the Joint Commission (JC), an international accreditation organization that certifies best practices for providing care. The JC offered suggestions for improving care which were included in the remodel.
A staff of 26 Hutchinson Regional employees will manage the Behavioral Health Unit at HRMC in cooperation with psychiatric providers from Horizons Mental Health Center.
Hutchinson Regional Medical Center is an entity of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System. Other entities are Horizons Mental Health Center, Hospice & HomeCare of Reno County, Health-E-Quip and Hutchinson Regional Medical Foundation.
