TO ALVARADO PARKWAY INSTITUTE – YOU’RE IN GREAT HANDS. hether this is your first time receiving Behavioral Health treatment at an inpatient hospital or you are a returning patient, we understand that checking in to an overnight facility can be stressful and if you’re like most people, you may be a bit hesitant and have a few questions API IS LICENSED, ACCREDITED AND CERTIFIED BY: 4 The State of California Department of Public Health 4 Accredited by the Joint Commission 4 Certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 4 Certified by TRICARE
regarding what to expect during your time with us. This packet will provide you with information about Alvarado Parkway Institute and the quality care you can expect to receive with us. It should also provide you with answers to most of your pressing questions about what happens when you arrive, your treatment team, what you should and should not bring with you, and visiting information. We are here to answer any additional questions you may have. Regardless of your current mental health challenges, improving your quality of life and maximizing your full potential is our core focus - because you matter. Alvarado Parkway Institute Behavioral Health System delivers a continuum of care that starts
with a comprehensive assessment and plan that is individualized and compassionate. We work with you step by step and provide a supportive, encouraging, patientcentered environment. Our focus is you, the individual, meeting you where you are today with a healthier future in sight. MORE ABOUT US… Alvarado Parkway Institute Behavioral Health System (API) is a private behavioral health system offering inpatient and outpatient psychiatric and addictive disorder services for more than 35 years. We are dedicated to the wellness of individuals, their families and our community through prevention, intervention and treatment in a safe and culturally sensitive environment.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT WHEN YOU ARRIVE – A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE FOR CHECK-IN When you arrive at API, our front desk team will have you meet with a trained clinician from our Assessment Services staff who will assess your needs based on the information provided from your treatment team and information that you provide. Once admitted to your unit, our Mental Health Workers will review and log your personal belongings; those items that cannot be kept in your room will be secured for safe keeping and returned to you when you check out. They will orient you to the unit and provide you with information about group times, meal times, patio breaks, visiting hours, phone access, and basic unit rules and regulations. During your stay, we will assign a team of treatment professionals to help you with a stabilization and treatment plan to achieve immediate and long-term wellness. Our nursing and clinical staff will get you checked-in to your room. You will be seen by your nurse for a comprehensive medical assessment within 8 hours of your arrival. Within 24 hours of admission, you will be seen by your psychiatrist or nurse practitioner and an internist. A psychiatrist or nurse practitioner will visit with you daily for the duration of your stay. Within 72 hours of admission, you will be assessed by several key members of your treatment team: your social worker, an addictive disorders counselor, and an adjunctive therapy clinician.
LIST OF FREQUENTLY ASKED Q. What will my insurance cover? A. Insurance policies and benefits vary greatly. Alvarado Parkway Institute’s Assessment Services staff will help you obtain information on your policy concerning benefits allowable, co-pays, and deductibles.
Q. What is the average length of stay for inpatient services? A. At Alvarado Parkway Institute we treat each patient individually. It depends on the patient’s individual diagnosis and severity of illness. On average, patients’ stay is between 4-7 days, however, it’s important to note that we have patients with shorter and longer stays. Your treatment team members will discuss your length of stay with you.
Q. Will I have my own doctor? A. Every patient is assigned an attending psychiatrist. In many cases, our patients work with the same psychiatrist that they have worked with in the community and in other cases, our patients will develop a new relationship with a psychiatrist. Our psychiatrists will get to know you from the beginning by doing a careful diagnostic assessment. Based on this assessment you and your doctor will develop a treatment plan.
Q. Is API a detox facility? A. API is a psychiatric facility that offers an addiction emphasis. We do offer detoxification protocols. If you are in need of detoxification, your treatment team and your psychiatrist will collaborate with you to initiate a detoxification protocol.
Q. Will I have a roommate or roommates? A. In most cases, you will be assigned to a shared room. Should you believe that you have treatment needs that require privacy, your treatment team members will discuss your options with you.
Q. When I finish my treatment at API can I go back to my psychiatrist? A. Yes, when our patients are discharged we provide a discharge plan so that you can continue your care with the physician you worked with prior to coming to API.
Q. Will family members be involved in my treatment program? A. We strongly encourage family involvement. Talk with your treatment team about involving your family in family sessions, discharge planning, and education about your symptoms and treatment.
Q. Should I bring medications I am currently taking when I come in for my admission? A. Yes. When a patient comes for an inpatient admission, they should bring all the medications they are currently taking. That would include non-psychiatric as well as psychiatric prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, vitamin supplements, and homeopathic remedies. It is important for patients to provide information regarding any allergies, side effects, and prior experience with any medication.
Q. Can I bring my laptop or tablet or is there a computer I can use to send e-mails? A. While you are receiving inpatient services, we need to keep you focused on your treatment plan and electronic devices such as a laptop or tablet can distract. Additionally, most tablets or laptops have recording devices and due to privacy regulations, we do not allow their use in patient care areas. Should you bring in a laptop or tablet, you will be asked to check them in with your valuable items and they will be logged and safely stored for you.
Q. Can I make business calls? Can I bring my cell phone? A. There are designated phones available on the inpatient units for receiving and making calls during non-group times. Due to privacy regulations, cell phones are not permitted on the inpatient units. We recommend that you bring a list of frequently called numbers. If you bring your cell phone, you will be asked to check it in with valuable items and it will be logged and safely stored for you. Should you need important phone numbers or information from your stored cell phone, staff can assist you.
QUESTIONS FROM OUR PATIENTS: Q. What is the dress code? A. Appropriate clothing is required at all times. Shorts shorter than mid-thigh, bare midriffs, seethrough clothing, miniskirts, tank tops, spaghetti string shirts, or any items with inappropriate logos or messages are not permitted. You may be asked to change clothing deemed by staff to be inappropriate. Staff will assess the appropriateness of a patient›s appearance, including makeup, hair and cleanliness. Walking barefoot within the hospital is not allowed.
Q. How much clothing should I bring when checking in for inpatient services? A. Please bring enough clothing for about three days. Additionally, please bring a sweater or sweatshirt that is easy to put on and take off as room temperatures may vary.
Q. Are there laundry facilities? A. Yes. Each inpatient unit has available laundry facilities that can be used at designated times.
Q. Can I keep a journal? A. You will receive a journal and are encouraged to journal daily. If you need journal topic suggestions, please ask your treatment team members.
Q. Can my children visit? A. Children under 16 years of age are not allowed on the inpatient units. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Q. Can I be sent a care package? A. Yes. Staff will assist you in opening your care packages. Outside food and beverages are not permitted without the permission of our Chief Nursing Officer.
Q. Are there area hotels where family members can stay when visiting? A. Yes. We will be happy to assist family members with locating hotels and other local resources.
Q. What inpatient unit will I be admitted to? A. API has three inpatient units. The unit you are initially assigned to will depend on your needs at the time of admission and will be determined by your multi-disciplinary treatment team in collaboration with your attending psychiatrist.
Q. Do I remain on the same unit during my entire hospital stay? A. Whether or not you remain on the same unit or transfer to another unit depends upon multiple factors including your treatment needs and bed availability. The decision to remain on the same unit or transfer will be determined by your multidisciplinary treatment team in collaboration with your attending psychiatrist.
Q. Will I attend group therapy? A. Most patients are encouraged to participate in group therapy. There are multiple groups offered including traditional therapy groups, psychoeducation groups, and activity groups. Groups are offered by our Psychology Department, Addictive Disorders Department, Social Services Department, and our Therapeutic Specialties & Spiritual Care Department and offer a variety of opportunities and methods for managing your symptoms.
Q. Will I have an individual therapist? A. API offers individual therapy as one of the many services we make available to our patients. Your psychiatrist, in collaboration with your multi-disciplinary treatment team, will help you determine if an individual therapist can be of benefit to your treatment program. Individual therapy, if indicated, is provided by our Allied Health Professionals or by members of the Psychology Department.
Q. How often will I see my psychiatrist? A. You will be assigned a psychiatrist upon admission to API. In some cases, your psychiatrist will work in conjunction with a nurse practitioner. You will be seen by a psychiatrist or nurse practitioner within 24 hours and on a daily basis thereafter in order to review your medications, discuss your treatment plan, and to review discharge plans.
Q. Will I have a social worker? A. Yes. Every patient admitted to our inpatient program is assigned a social worker who will meet with you for an initial assessment and to discuss your treatment plan, family involvement, and discharge plans.
Q. Where will I go after discharge? A. Each patient is offered an individualized discharge plan. Your multi-disciplinary treatment team will collaborate with you to determine the discharge plan that best meets your needs. A discharge plan may include residential placement, continuing psychiatric and medical treatment. We assist our patients in accessing outpatient services following discharge. API offers half day intensive outpatient services, full day partial hospitalization programming, evening intensive outpatient programming and a short-term residential crisis center.
Q. Will I be able to see a chaplain or a spiritual counselor? A. Yes. Our Therapeutic Specialties & Spiritual Care Department offers the opportunity to participate in spirituality groups as well as the opportunity to see a chaplain individually. Simply make the request to a member of your multidisciplinary treatment team.
Q. What if I’m on a special diet? A. Our dietary services works in coordination with our multidisciplinary treatment team to ensure that your diet is based on your health needs and your preferences. If you have any dietary concerns, please be sure to express them to members of your multidisciplinary treatment team.
apibhs.com ALVARADO PARKWAY INSTITUTE 7050 Parkway Drive | La Mesa, CA 91942
24-HOUR CRISIS LINE: 800-766-4API (4274) 24/7 assessment services available. Physician owned hospital.
1-2024