Denver-based regional hospital system plans new adult psychiatric inpatient unit
HCA-HealthONE, LLC announces today plans for expansion of its regional
network of care to include behavioral health services. Construction will
begin at The Medical Center of Aurora North Campus (I-225 & 6th Ave.,
700 Potomac St., Aurora) early spring of 2012 with an anticipated open
date of fall 2012.
Due to state budget cuts in recent years, mental health services have
lost millions of dollars, making it difficult for patients to obtain
much-needed care. Public and private psychiatric hospitals or
specialized units have closed leaving Colorado at a loss, ranking the
state 50th in the nation in terms of psychiatric beds per capita. One
out of every four Americans experiences a diagnosable mental illness or
substance abuse every year. Mental illnesses are more common than
cancer, diabetes or heart disease and can affect persons of any age,
race, religion or income.
"Just like in other areas of medicine, we have made great strides in the
treatment of psychiatric disorders, both in terms of better medicines
with fewer side effects, as well as more focused and evidence-based
psychological treatments," said Dr. George Bussey, HCA-HealthONE Chief
Medical Officer. "But also, just like diabetes and heart disease,
psychiatric disorders have their episodic flare-ups and need for more
intensive interventions and then close follow-up. This is why we are so
pleased to be able to provide a continuum of care at our new facility –
so that we can address not only the acute phases of illness, but also
the follow-up necessary to prevent or minimize the future need for
intensive treatment."
HealthONE's expansion of behavioral health care will include a 40-bed
adult psychiatric inpatient unit when it opens. Future plans include
adding an intensive outpatient and partial outpatient programs.
"At one point in time, Denver and Colorado were known for their
excellent mental health services across the continuum of care. "With our
new unit and planned partnerships with community Behavioral Health
providers, we hope to once again bring positive attention to Denver and
Colorado for its level and sophistication of mental health services,"
said Dr. Bussey.
The new HealthONE adult psychiatric inpatient unit will complement the
existing HealthONE Senior Care Center, which provides mental health
services to the aging population. HealthONE's parent company, Hospital
Corporation of America (HCA) operates behavioral health care centers at
54 locations in 17 states and works with all 164 HCA hospitals and
emergency locations to support behavioral health needs of those we serve.
In 2011, HCA and HealthONE partnered with the National Alliance on
Mental Illness (NAMI) to help dispel the stigma of mental illness and
support individuals and families affected by mental illness. HealthONE
has regional alliances with NAMI and fellow mental health advocacy
organization, Mental Health America of Colorado (MHAC).
"Mental Health America of Colorado envisions a healthy Colorado and that
includes greater access to high quality behavioral healthcare," said Don
Mares, CEO of MHAC and former State legislator and Denver Auditor.
"HealthONE's behavioral health services—the expansion to include adult
psychiatric inpatient care—will have a tremendously positive impact on
mental health care for the Denver metro community and throughout the
State," said Mares.
For more information on HealthONE behavioral health services and to
track construction progress, visit www.HealthONEcares.com.
About HealthONE: HealthONE is the largest health care system in the
metro Denver area with more than 9,000 employees and 3,000 affiliated
physicians. HealthONE hospitals have a long and trusted legacy going
back more than 130 years with St. Luke's, more than 85 years with
Presbyterian Denver, more than 105 years with Swedish and more than 60
years with Rose. The current health system was created in 1995 as a
Colorado company and a joint venture between The Colorado Health
Foundation and various affiliates of HCA. The Foundation grew to the
second largest charitable foundation in the state and in October 2011
sold its share in HealthONE to HCA (NYSE: HCA).
HealthONE includes: The Medical Center of Aurora; North Suburban Medical
Center; Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center & Rocky Mountain Hospital
for Children; Rose Medical Center; Sky Ridge Medical Center; Swedish
Medical Center; Spalding Rehabilitation Hospital; Centennial Medical
Plaza (affiliated with The Medical Center of Aurora); Swedish Southwest
ER (affiliated with Swedish Medical Center); 14 stand-alone ambulatory
surgery centers; 8 occupational medicine & rehabilitation clinics;
dozens of specialty clinics; two radiation oncology centers ; and
AIRLIFE-DENVER, which provides critical care air and ground
transportation across an eight-state region.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding HCA's business
which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that
involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and
uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those
contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the
Company's Annual Report or Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal
year.
Leslie K. Horna,
Public Relations for HealthONE,
+1-303-584-6100, c. +1-303-523-1978