Reading Health will open its Psychiatric Emergency Department on Tuesday, January 17, in the Reading HealthPlex for Advanced Surgical & Patient Care. The new designated Psychiatric Emergency Unit will offer specialized emergency care in Reading Hospital's Emergency Department.
Reading Health's Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) will offer high-quality, personalized emergency mental healthcare 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the new space. With 10 private treatment rooms, the Psychiatric Emergency Department will provide a safe and secure unit for patients in crisis. Reading Health sees an average of 485 behavioral health patients each month. Berks County Crisis Services interacted with 4,240 unduplicated individuals for a total of 13,020 contacts, many of which were also seen in the Reading Emergency Department.
Specialized psychiatric emergency departments have been proven to enhance care for psychiatric patients and to enhance care by providing services in a dedicated area away from the bustling Emergency Department.
The new unit will help Reading Health specialists more effectively and efficiently evaluate and treat emergency behavioral health patients in the level of inpatient or outpatient care they need. The new department also will enhance Reading Health's collaboration with community agencies to ensure continuity of care for patients.
Members of media are invited to speak with Reading Health physicians and Edward Michalik, Psy. D from Berks County Crisis Services to learn more.
Reading Hospital
Reading Hospital is the flagship, Magnet Recognized, acute care hospital of Tower Health. Located in West Reading, Pa., Reading Hospital is a 714-bed hospital that is home to many top-tier specialty care centers, including Reading HealthPlex, McGlinn Cancer Institute, Miller Regional Heart Center, Emergency Department, Level I Trauma Center and Beginnings Maternity Center, which houses the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With more than 1,000 physicians, specialists, and advanced practice providers across 49 locations, Reading Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across services lines. It is listed as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for four consecutive years and received a 5-Star Rating from CMS two years in a row. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.