Psych Facility Design and Project Management Newsletter

Bernstein & Associates, Architects (Psych Facility Design)

Empire Projects, Inc. (Psych Facility Project Management)

August 2007

In This Issue

Featured Articles:

Housing for People With Mental Illness: Update of a Report to the President's New Freedom Commission (c) Ann O'Hara, Psychiatric Services, July 2007

"A significant barrier to participation in community life for people with serious mental illness is the lack of decent, safe, affordable, and integrated housing of their choice linked with supportive services. The nation's affordable housing and mental health systems have historically failed to address consumers' housing needs and choices. The lack of housing has resulted in disproportionately high rates of homelessness and chronic homelessness. The author summarizes these issues, which were examined by the Subcommittee on Housing and Homelessness of the President's New Freedom Commission, and discusses the subcommittee's recommendations to end chronic homelessness among people with mental illness, expand access to affordable housing resources for consumers, and promote evidence-based practices..."

For full text of the article, go to: http://www.bernarch.com/08-07-PsychServices-HousingReport-FreedomCommission.htm

Guiding Light, (c) Amy Eagle, Health Facilities Management, 12/06

"Privacy and natural light are two hallmarks of modern health care architecture, making the design of Sheppard Pratt Hospital, which opened in 1891, more than 100 years ahead of its time. The Towson, Md., psychiatric institution, originally known as the Sheppard Asylum, was founded by prominent 19th century businessman and philanthropist Moses Sheppard. Sheppard’s charter for the hospital foretells much of the current thinking on patient-centered healing environments; it calls for patients to be treated in a comfortable setting with privacy, sunlight and fresh air..."

For full text of the article, go to: http://www.bernarch.com/08-07-HFM-GuidingLight.htm

"Little Rebuilding Evident in New Orleans MH System", (c) Aaron Levin, Psychiatric News July 20, 2007

"Despite a well-documented mental health crisis in post-Katrina Louisiana, the supply of mental health services lags far behind the need. The slow reconstruction of New Orleans' physical infrastruct ure has been accompanied by the increased mental health needs of its citizens and by lagging availability of services, said several speakers at APA's annual meeting in San Diego in May..."

For full text of the article, go to: http://www.bernarch.com/08-07-PsychNews.LittleRebuilding-NewOrleans.htm

Featured Service: Psychiatric Facility Patient Safety Audit:

Our team of psychiatric design experts has completed (30) “Psychiatric Patient Safety Audits”, for facilities in (12) states. These audits are often performed after there has been a patient incident in a hospital or psychiatric institution, but it is always recommended that facilities housing psychiatric patients be pro-active, and procure this patient-safety focused audit before there is a patient incident.

Our “Psychiatric Patient Safety Audits” includes a basic checklist of (68) psychiatric patient-safety focused items but it expands and contracts depending on the type and combinations of patient populations and whether it is private, public, freestanding or part of a med/surg facility. The number of variables that need to be considered vary widely with the nature and culture of the organization as well as the age, diagnosis, medical issues and many other aspects of the patients themselves.

Experience: Psychiatric Facility Design & Construction :

A/E: Gut Rehab of 44,000SF, (85) Bed, Adult and Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatric Center
A/E: Creation of New (60) Bed Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatric Center
A/E: Master Plan and Renovations of Existing (105) Bed Psychiatric Center, including: Adult, Adolescent, Pediatric, Outpatient and CPEP
A/E: Psych Patient Safety/Suicide Prevention Audits, Upgrades, Renovations

The firm is currently licensed to practice architecture in : FL, TX, IO, IA, OH, NY, NJ & CT. In addition the firm principal is NCARB certified and can be licensed in any state within 30 days.

Bernstein & Assoc., Architects – PLLC
59 West 19th Street - 6A, New York, NY 10011
Ph : 212-463-8200 / Fx : 212-463-9898 / info@bernarch.com

Empire Projects, Inc.
59 West 19th Street - 6A, New York, NY 10011
Ph : 212-463-0800 / Fx : 212-463-9898 /
info@empireprojects.com

Bernstein & Associates, Architects – PLLC / 59 West 19th St. - 6A, NY, NY /
Telephone : 212-463-8200 / Fax : 212-463-9898 10011 / Email : info@bernarch.com
Profile | Client List | Project Types | References | Contact Us

Empire Projects, Inc. / 59 West 19th Street - 6A, New York, NY 10011 /
Telephone: 212-463-0800 / Fax : 212-463-9898 / Email: info@empireprojects.com
Home | Management | Project Types | Services| Contact Us

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