Services

Mental Health & Chemical Dependency Services
Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit

The Behavioral Health Inpatient Psychiatric Units at Buffalo General Medical Center offer a compassionate, nurtring haven where adults with a wide range of mental health concerns can receive the most effective treatment. Twenty-four hour care and supervision is provided within a safe environment, so patients can focus on hope, wellness and recovery.

Recovery is possible when there is a combined effort from all parties involved. The treatment team, which consists of the patient, their family, and clinicians are essential to helping the patient attain a healthy state of mind.

The 91-bed department represents the largest behavioral health program in Western New York. It is staffed by an experienced, multi-disciplinary team of mental health professionals who work together to provide care, including:

• Board-Certified Psychiatrists
• Mental Health Social Workers
• Psychiatric Registered Nurses
• Occupational Therapy Assistants
• Experienced Substance Abuse Staff

Treatment is available for adults with a wide variety of concerns and illness, including:

• Anxiety
• Bipolar Disorder
• Depression
• Difficulties with life crisis and transitions
• Schizophrenia
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Philosophy

“Rapid, short-term intervention can often prevent long-term problems from developing.”

About The Inpatient Unit

A comprehensive program of group, individual, family and activity therapy is provided to patients on a daily basis. Because the unit is located within a full-service hospital, the treatment plan will provide for medical and mental health—whenever necessary.

Environment

Special consideration has been given to enhance the therapeutic environment on each unit and the special needs of each individual.

• Units are equipped with comfortable furnishings, TV and stereo equipment.
• Patients may bring a personal, battery-powered radio (portable headphone sets only).
• Personal TV, stereo equipment, tape recorder or cell phone with camera features are not permitted due to privacy issues.
• Cell phones without cameras and laptop computers may be used on a limited basis, with doctor’s permission and guidance.

Smoking

Buffalo General Medical Center supports the Erie County Clean Air Act and a health and wellness philosophy, so smoking is not permitted on our inpatient behavioral health units.

Quitting smoking is one of the hardest goals to accomplish while in a stressful situation, but there are many interventions that can help, including:

• Smoking Cessation Education
• Nicotine Replacement Therapy
• Group Therapy

For more information, please speak with any nurse.

Personal Belongings

Personal items are welcome and each should have a label affixed to it with the patient's name.  Items may include:

• Grooming supplies (soap, shampoo and conditioner)
• Casual clothes without strings
• Pajamas, robe, slippers
• Glasses
• Dentures

Items that may cause harm to either the patient or other inpatients will be placed in a locker for safety. Buffalo General is not responsible for any lost or stolen items, so allvaluables should be left at home.

Medication

• A nurse will provide the medications, as ordered by the physician, at designated times of the day. Routine medications may only be administered with patient consent and physician order.
• If an individaul has a medical problem for which medication has been prescribed while at home, the nursing staff should be shown the medication bottles. The physician will review these medications and may order them while you are hospitalized.
• Sometimes stress or anxiety makes it difficult to cope and additional medication may be needed to relieve anxiety. 

Concerns/Special Requests

Concerns or special needs should be shared with the staff as soon as possible so the team can try to address them. However, this does not guarantee that the need can be met. The safety of all patients must be considered when making decisions, but every effort will be made to accommodate resonable requests.

Unit Pay Phone Numbers

Courtesy telephones for local calls are on every unit. Inpatients may use this telephone to contact loved ones and provide information.

• 12 South: (716) 859-3770
• 12 North: (716) 859-1680
• 11 South: (716) 859-1715
• 11 North: (716) 859-1714

Friends and Family

Friends and family are encouraged to visit during visiting hours and participate in all treatment interventions.

Visiting Hours

Because of the increased time required for psychiatric and nursing care, visiting hours are limited to the following times:

Weekdays:
1 - 3 p.m. & 6 – 8 p.m.

>Weekends and Major Holidays:
11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Please observe the following guidelines while visiting:

1.  No children under the age of 14 years of age.
2. Only two visitors at one time.
3. Large group visits are not allowed.

If many family members wish to visit at the same time, each member should take turns. It is important to limit the number of persons on the unit because increased stimuli and noise can cause others increased stress.

Obtaining Information

In order to balance the family’s need for information with the patient’s need for treatment and privacy, one person must be named as the designated spokesperson.

• After the patient completes a release of information form, calls for information will only be accepted from the person designated as the spokesperson, by the patient.
• In an effort to maintain patient confidentiality, the nurse will not be permitted to give test results or other sensitive information over the telephone to anyone, including the designated spokesperson.
• Information regarding test results or progress may only be obtained by the spokesperson from the patient's assigned nurse in person. It is advisable to make a list of questions, so they can be answered all at once.

Treatment

Concerns regarding treatment may be directed to the Nurse Manager. To reach the New York State Office of Mental Health, please call (716) 885-5014.