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| Allentown State Hospital
Allentown State Hospital welcomes you... Allentown State Hospital (ASH) is one of seven mental health hospitals in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s multi-hospital system. We are located in an urban area midway between the cities of Allentown and Bethlehem and serve the counties of Lehigh and Northampton and the Carbon, Monroe, Pike joinder. We utilize an inclusive approach and work closely with our county partners and our individuals and their families to provide recovery based intermediate and long term in-patient psychiatric treatment and services to adults with severe and persistent mental illness. We are committed to the belief that each person deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. Our hospital became the first in the nation to eliminate seclusion rooms as a treatment modality for people in crisis. In addition, the long standing use of physical restraints and unscheduled medications have been replaced by extensive staff training in verbal intervention and communications that facilitate de-escalation and an increased understanding of stressors and issues for the person in crisis. In addition, these previously acceptable "control" techniques were replaced when ASH adopted a new philosophy that says the more you do with a person; the less you have to do to the person. This philosophy translated into an increase in treatment time and leisure activities. Time is spent discussing ways to control stress or learning about their illness, how to manage their symptoms by developing WRAPs (wellness recovery action plans) and MHADs (mental health advance directives). Job opportunities are also available for those individuals who choose to work and get paid. As a result, the time required for this piece of their recovery journey has dropped significantly which means less time at the hospital and more time getting on with their lives in their community. Gregory M. Smith Location of the Admission Department Allentown State Hospital Hours of Operation and Contact Information Social Work staff is available weekdays at 610-740-3230 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to answer questions about admission procedures. Clinical referral materials should be mailed by an approved referral source (an acute care community psychiatric hospital) simultaneously to the appropriate County Mental Health designee from the person's home county and to: Allentown State Hospital Individual Rights Individuals are provided with a copy and explanation of our Patient's Rights statement upon admission. A full time External Advocate is available to all individuals and their families to assure that individual’s rights are protected as well as to offer education on Mental Health Advance Directives and other available advocacy services. Admission Process Adults admitted to Allentown State Hospital must come directly from an in-patient hospitalization at a community hospital. Admission referrals from the general public are not accepted. If the treating physician at the community hospital determines that the patient requires longer term psychiatric treatment, a referral is initiated by the social worker at that facility. Referrals are accepted from the following counties: Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon, Monroe and Pike. Authorization for admission to Allentown State Hospital requires:
The hospital goal for people newly admitted to ASH is to assess, treat and reintegrate them back into the community as soon as they have become emotionally and mentally ready for that move. From the moment a person arrives, his or her treatment team, which includes a psychiatrist, medical physician, registered nurse, social worker, psychologist, occupational therapist, recreational therapist and psychiatric aides begins to work with the county mental health staff to provide a healthy support system in the community to continue services upon discharge. New Admission Orientation Program (NAOP) All newly admitted patients participate in an orientation program developed and run by professional nursing staff. The program provides patients with an overview of hospital and nursing services, introduces patients to the concept of team care and treatment and outlines individual patient responsibilities and expectations during hospitalization. Following the completion of this program, patients are assigned to team based and Centralized Program groups. Treatment Programs All adults receiving services at ASH are scheduled for twenty hours of therapeutic programs per week: two in the morning and two in the afternoon. The morning programs are team based, while the afternoon programs are centralized. Team Based Program: Individuals on a unit are assigned to groups whose therapists are members of their team. The treatment team develops groups designed to best meet the ever changing needs of the people who reside on their unit. CenPro: CenPro stands for "Centralized Programming". In contrast to Team Based program, any therapist in the hospital may provide treatment to any individual regardless of their unit assignment. Consequently, a group may be comprised of people with similar diagnosis and treatment needs from several different units, who come together in one central place for that particular therapy creating a more homogeneous group. Using a collegiate model, program is structured into three treatment cycles or three sixteen-week blocks per calendar year that are interspersed with weeks of alternate activities when planning occurs for the next block. Departments involved in the provision of groups are: Adult Basic Education, Chaplaincy, Co-occurring Disorders, Dietary, Nursing, Library, Occupational Therapy, Psychiatry, Psychology, Therapeutic Recreation, Social Work, Vocational Adjustment Services and Volunteer Resources. Program is held in one secure building location to facilitate attendance in a safe environment. A RN and approximately twelve psychiatric aides are assigned specific duties that include: a) escort/assist individuals to the secured program area from all buildings, b) help individuals travel between programs, and c) account for/monitor individuals while in program. Treatment Evaluation/Program Selection: Near the end of the sixteen-week treatment cycle, the individuals and their teams evaluate each individual's treatment progress. A schedule of available groups for the next treatment cycle and a program catalog containing group descriptions reflecting the objectives and methods of each group are provided to the teams. Each person is assigned an advisor from the treatment team staff who works with the person to identify treatment needs and the program that will support their recovery. This information is reflected on the CenPro Patient Preference Form and is made available to the team to help determine program choices for the next cycle. A program outcome summary sheet for each person is made available to the team that communicates the progress that has been made in their current programs as rated by the therapists. The team then decides what groups the person has and will continue to benefit from the most for the next treatment cycle and submits a referral to the Program Coordinator for the specific groups that each individual will require. Once the schedule is set, the program is documented in the Individual Treatment Plan. An ongoing evaluation of the person's progress is documented by each therapist and can be found in the Program Therapy section located in every person's medical record. Communication to the team on the person's response to treatment also occurs when each therapist completes a Treatment Outcome Rating on people assigned to their group. This rating occurs at the beginning and end of each block on a standardized rating form, developed by the Hospital. Ratings are then compared at the end of a treatment cycle to determine the individual's overall progress and the outcome summary sheet is placed in the person’s medical record. Afternoon, Evening and Weekend Activities: Leisure activities are available Monday through Friday and during the day on Saturday. Therapeutic Recreation and Occupational Therapy provide a variety of activities such as table games, dances, participation in and watching sports events, taking trips to community parks/movie theaters, etc. On Hospital grounds, a gym, auditorium, outdoor pavilion, and several indoor activity areas are available for these events to occur. A library is located in the indoor activity area and the Librarian has it open at designated times in the afternoon for interested individuals. On Sunday and other religious holidays, a full time Chaplain and contracted Chaplains provide services. They are also available during the afternoon and evenings to meet with individuals and serve their spiritual needs. Active treatment is based on the following Community Support Program values and principles: Consumer-Centered/Consumer-Empowered: Services are based upon the needs of the person allowing consumers the greatest possible control over their lives. Strengths Based: Services build on the assets and strengths of consumers to help maintain their identity, self-esteem and dignity. Racially and Culturally Appropriate: Services are sensitive and responsive to racial, ethnic, religious and gender differences of consumers and families. Meet Special Needs: Services are designed to meet the needs of persons with mental illness who are also affected by such factors. Flexible: Services are designed to allow people to move within and around the system as needed. Coordinated: Services and supports are planned in collaboration with consumers, families, advocates and professionals. Accountable: Services are accountable to consumers and families in planning, developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating services Community-Based/Natural Supports: Services encourage consumers to use the natural supports in the community and integrate into all aspects of the community. And finally, active treatment is based on recovery principles and designed to support consumers on their self-determined and holistic journey to heal and grow in an environment that provides hope, empowerment, choices and opportunities that inspire them to reach their full potential as individuals and community members. Co-Occurring Disorders (COD) Program All individuals admitted to Allentown State Hospital are screened for secondary drug and/or alcohol abuse issues as part of their initial evaluation. The treatment team reviews the results of this screening and determines if a comprehensive COD assessment is indicated. If the person has a Co-Occurring Disorder he/she is referred to the COD program, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and/or Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA). Studies indicate improved treatment outcomes with the implementation of integrated treatment including, in some cases, substantial rates of remission as well as reductions in hospital use. The goals of the Allentown State Hospital COD program are to:
The COD program has been developed to fit in the 16-week program blocks. Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held on Friday afternoons. Dual Recovery Anonymous meetings are held Wednesday mornings. Re-Offense Prevention Group Allentown State Hospital has contracted with Forensic Treatment Services of Allentown to provide four hours of group therapy a week, during CenPro, to individuals with identified sexual offense issues. Beginning with implementation of the new Multidisciplinary Initial Assessment, individuals are screened for sexual offense issues and, if screened positive, are referred to the Forensic Treatment Services staff for evaluation for inclusion in the group. The goal of the group is to minimize the risk of a future offense once the person is discharged from the hospital by helping him/her understand trigger events and reactions, develop coping skills for their impulses and learn about available community resources for assistance. Vocational Adjustment Services (VAS) Paid work opportunities are available at the hospital for anyone who chooses to work. Opportunities exist in the Sheltered Care Workshop, Patient Worker Program and assistance with community job searches as appropriate through the job skills program. In addition; reimbursement is received for attendance at hospital committee meetings. Clinical Guidelines Allentown State Hospital encourages the use of treatment guidelines for many medical/psychiatric conditions. The guidelines are recommended by medical specialty boards, some examples are treatment of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Visiting Guidelines Visiting hours are weekdays from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and weekends and holidays from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Visitation by clergy, attorneys, and others due to special circumstances can be made at other times through prior arrangements. Directions 1600 Hanover Avenue From Philadelphia or Southern New Jersey From Northern New Jersey From Harrisburg From North – Pocono Area Directions from Airport Route South Exit Employment Opportunities Allentown State Hospital provides a variety of employment opportunities. For specific information regarding current and future openings please contact: Human Resource Department Or visit the State Civil Service Commission website at www.scsc.state.pa.usfor additional information. We’re always looking for Registered Nurses who are dedicated to the Psychiatric care of adults with Mental Illnesses. For great Nursing Career opportunities visit www.nursing.state.pa.us History of Allentown State Hospital In 1901, the Germantown Homeopathic Medical Society of Philadelphia assisted in introducing and furthering a bill in the state legislature to provide for the selection of a site and construction of a state hospital for the insane. The hospital was to be under homeopathic management and control. A number of areas were evaluated before the Rittersville section of Lehigh County was accepted as the construction site. The cornerstone for the hospital was laid on June 27, 1904, but because of delays in financial appropriations, the hospital was not completed until 1912. The hospital was opened on October 3, 1912 at a cost of $1,931,270. Allentown State Hospital (ASH) is situated on 206 acres of rising, wooded land near the banks of the Lehigh River. Although the hospital is close to public transportation, stores and other businesses, it still retains much of its original, quiet character. There is a mix of early and late 20th century architecture on the outside. But inside, residential units have undergone major renovations through the years in order to provide a comfortable and attractive environment. The first admissions were patients from Norristown and Danville State Hospitals, which were both overcrowded at that time. The hospital at Rittersville, or the Allentown Homeopathic Hospital for the Insane as it was called at the time, was the first homeopathic institution of its kind in Pennsylvania. The first Superintendent, Dr. Henry Klopp, was a homeopathic physician and the Hospital was closely allied with the Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia. The homeopathic medical approach was gradually changed to the more standard medical model and the homeopathic title was dropped from the name, the Hospital then being referred to as Allentown State Hospital. The patient population quickly rose to 867. Over the years, the population and physical plant continued to expand, reaching a census high of 2,012 in 1950. The present population of 175 represents a trend towards decreasing populations in state hospitals, especially over the past decade. The major decline in the census since the 1950s can be attributed in part to 1.) the Mental Health Procedures Act of 1976 which lead to an increase in community mental health services, 2.) developments in the field of psychopharmacology, and 3.) a transfer of funding from the State Hospitals to the community through the Community Hospital Integration Program Project (CHIPPs). Allentown State Hospital received patients primarily from a five-county service area. The counties specifically were Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon, Monroe, and Pike. These counties included the cities of Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, as well as a number of smaller municipalities. Another unique aspect of the hospital was the development of a psychiatric treatment program for psychiatrically impaired children. This program, under the direction of Dr. Klopp, was opened in 1930 and functioned as the only program of its type in the state until the 1960s when Eastern State School and Hospital was opened. The Mental Health Institute for Children, as it was called, maintained a population of 140 children from across the state during the years when it was the only statewide facility for children. With the development of alternate programs in the community and construction of a State Hospital dedicated to children and adolescents, the need for the facility became less crucial and the unit was closed in June of 1992. The Hospital maintains a close working relationship with the county mental health programs resulting in a free flow of information which assists in enhancing the treatment of patients, both in the Hospital and in the Community. This was due, in large part, to the CHIPPs program which not only discharged 130 patients from the hospital to more appropriate community settings, but transferred monies from the hospital budget to the county for developing long lasting infrastructures. CHIPPs would not have worked unless there were close and cooperative interactions between the hospital and the counties. During the past decade, the hospital has undergone several significant changes in treating patients. The practice of seclusion, restraint and prn medications was replaced by the philosophy of "The more you do with the patients, the less you have to do to them". In 1992 a Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) was formed and trained to handle individuals in crisis by talking to them and putting them in restraint/seclusion only as a last resort. Following Deputy Secretary of Mental Health, Charlie Curie's decree to reduce these two means of controlling patients, Allentown State Hospital saw seclusion and restraint as treatment failures rather than as treatment options. Two hours of program off the unit every weekday was instituted as a unique Centralized Program in September of 1998. In November of that year, seclusion was used for the last time at Allentown State Hospital - the first in the nation to go "seclusion free". The use of restraints was cut dramatically as well. Recreational activities were increased four fold on the weekends, although participation in them is voluntary. Allentown State Hospital continually evaluates its treatment programs and develops new offerings to assure the best possible care for the people we serve. |  | |||||||||
| Last modified on: March 13, 2009 | |||||||||||
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