Albert Einstein Medical Center Expands Emergency Psychiatric Services

Philadelphia, PA, May 9, 2003—The Crisis Response Center (CRC) at Albert Einstein Medical Center has moved to a larger facility to better accommodate the more than 8,000 adults, children and adolescents that receive emergency psychiatric services at the CRC each year. The CRC, which relocated to Germantown Community Health Services, One Penn Boulevard in Germantown, from Albert Einstein Medical Center, 5501 Old York Road, recently held an open house and reception in its new home. The Child and Adolescent Rapid Assessment and Treatment Program (CARAT) which provides emergency psychiatric services to children and adolescents, moved to the same location.

Einstein’s CRC, which provides treatment 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is one of five Crisis Response Centers in the City of Philadelphia, and the only one that treats children and adolescents. Psychiatric help is available for people in emotional crisis, with problems that may include drug and alcohol dependence, anxiety, depression, thoughts of harming oneself or others, hallucinations, or homelessness.

"We’re so pleased to have relocated the CRC since our new facility is substantially larger, particularly in the area that serves children," says Jackie McGrath, Assistant Vice President for Belmont Behavioral Health, part of Albert Einstein Healthcare Network. "Our community really needs emergency mental health services, and with support from the City of Philadelphia, Einstein has expanded our capabilities," she adds.

At the CRC, which is staffed by psychiatrists, registered nurses, psychiatric assistants, and social workers, no one who needs help is ever turned away. Patients can come to the facility without an appointment and visits are kept confidential. After undergoing a thorough psychiatric examination, patients receive emergency care that helps stabilize them. When an evaluation is completed, staff assist the individual and their family in finding appropriate follow-up services and treatment.

Medical services are immediately available if they are needed through the Medical Emergency Department at Germantown Community Health Services. After the examination in the CRC, patients are linked with a doctor, counselor or treatment center for ongoing care which may include psychiatric hospitalization, visits with a psychiatrist or counselor, drug and alcohol detoxification/rehabilitation, or housing assistance. A staff member calls each patient as follow-up, to make sure they are getting the help they need.

Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, a member of the Jefferson Health System, provides healthcare services through Albert Einstein Medical Center, Germantown Community Health Services, Willow Terrace at Germantown Campus (a long-term care facility), MossRehab, Wilowcrest (a center for subacute care), Belmont Behavioral Health and a number of outpatient and satellite locations. Einstein also operates a primary care network, Einstein Neighborhood Healthcare. For additional information, visit www.einstein.edu, or call 1-800-EINSTEIN.

Publish date: May 9, 2003