The New York State Department of Health has recently asked hospitals to help treat the growing number of people who have problems with addiction on an inpatient basis.
Previously, hospitals were required to treat these individuals in separate units that were segregated from the general patient population but now the laws have been changed to make it easier for hospitals to set aside beds in general treatment areas for this purpose.
Any person who would like to receive help can come to the Emergency Department at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and ask to be treated for their addiction. They will be triaged and admitted through the Department of Medicine to one of these beds, as long as they meet the criteria for needing inpatient care.
In an effort to participate in the initiative to combat increasing substance abuse and addiction rates, Jamaica Hospital has designated five beds as Detoxification Beds. However, there is room for expansion as the need grows. The staff that works with these patients has been specially trained to assist in their treatment. Upon completion of their inpatient stay in a detoxification bed, patients are referred to the hospital’s outpatient clinic for further treatment.
Patients who have addiction problems and require detoxification for legal or medical necessity are still being referred to the Chemical Dependency Unit at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, which can be reached at 718-670-5540.