Psychiatric Inpatient Services

The inpatient psychiatric unit is the highest level of mental health care available at Nationwide Children’s and is collaboration between Psychiatry, Nursing and Big Lots Behavioral Health Services. The inpatient psychiatric unit provides intensive hospitalization for youth and adolescents.

The unit has 26 beds and offers psychiatric medical services and brief intensive therapy for children and families. The goals for the unit are to provide family-centered care and crisis stabilization, as well as appropriate linkage to ongoing services that meet the needs of the youth and the family.  

What Can You Expect?

  • When first admitted to the unit, the patient and family will meet with a nurse to discuss paperwork, the unit, and for an initial safety assessment. During the first 24 hours, the patient and family will also meet with a therapist and a psychiatrist to better understand the needs of the admission and to plan for the course of appropriate treatment.

  • Throughout the stay, the patient and parents/guardians will work on establishing skills to handle future crises and developing a patient safety plan to increase wellbeing after discharge.

  • The Inpatient unit is a group environment where participation in treatment is actively encouraged. A typical treatment day includes participation in group therapy; symptom management groups; school;individual psychotherapy; groups with Occupational Therapy and Therapeutic Recreation; and psychiatric assessment and intervention.

  • A teacher will provide instruction so the patient does not fall behind in school during their stay.

  • The Inpatient team, in conjunction with the parents/guardians, will start discharge planning and coordinate care with outside providers and agencies. The inpatient team can help connect families with outside therapies, school and home-based interventions and other care teams to improve consistency after discharge.

What Happens Next?

  • A licensed mental health professional will work with the patient to determine which ongoing program or provider is the best fit.

  • If a program or provider is not available, our Outpatient Crisis Team provides short term therapy to individuals and families who are waiting to be connected to an ongoing provider (referred to as “bridging therapy.”

  • If medications are prescribed, a follow up appointment with a psychiatric provider will be scheduled to make sure medication refills are provided on time.