NASSAU UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF THE ESSENTIAL AND MUCH NEEDED ADDITIONAL THIRTY BED INPATIENT CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY REHABILITATION UNIT

FOR RESIDENTS OF LONG ISLAND, THE SECOND OF THE THREE NEW BEHAVIORAL HEALTH UNITS TO OPEN IS A FINANCIALLY IMPORTANT INITIATIVE FOR THE NASSAU HEALTH CARE CORPORATION AND PLAYS TO ITS STRENGTH AND EMPHASIS ON QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS.
NASSAU UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF THE ESSENTIAL AND MUCH NEEDED ADDITIONAL THIRTY BED INPATIENT CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY REHABILITATION UNIT.
FOR RESIDENTS OF LONG ISLAND, THE SECOND OF THREE NEW BEHAVIORAL HEALTH UNITS TO OPEN AT NUMC —
THE SECOND OF THE THREE NEW BEHAVIORAL HEALTH UNITS TO OPEN IS A FINANCIALLY IMPORTANT INITIATIVE FOR THE NASSAU HEALTH CARE CORPORATION AND PLAYS TO ITS STRENGTH AND EMPHASIS ON QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS –
THE NEW UNIT WILL PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION, TREATMENT AND COUNSELING FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES STRUGGLING WITH PROBLEMS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE –

East Meadow, NY ….. Arthur A. Gianelli, President/CEO of the Nassau Health Care Corporation (NHCC), announced today in the presence for the NHCC Board of Directors, state and county officials and Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC) staff, the opening of the essential and much needed thirty bed inpatient chemical dependency rehabilitation unit for residents of Long Island, the second of three new behavioral health units to open at NUMC. The new unit will provide comprehensive evaluation, treatment and counseling for individuals and families struggling with problems of substance abuse.

“We are pleased to announce that the opening of this thirty bed inpatient chemical dependency rehabilitation unit for residents of Long Island is a financially important initiative for the NHCC, playing to its strength and emphasis on quality improvements. This vital initiative treats patients who are struggling with alcoholism or substance abuse related issues, especially if the problems have not responded to outpatient interventions,” stated Mr. Gianelli.

The 20,000 square feet, thirty bed inpatient chemical dependency rehabilitation unit provides full medical and psychiatric evaluations and consultations, individual and group psychotherapy, addictions counseling, chemical dependency education and family education with supportive counseling and referrals. In addition, nutritional counseling, recreational therapy and relapse prevention with referrals for continuing treatment are also offered.

Occupying part of the tenth floor of the Dynamic Care Building at NUMC, the unlocked thirty-bed chemical dependency rehabilitation unit that cost $900,000. to build, shares the floor with an existing twenty bed locked detoxification service and functions as the step-down unit for the continuation of treatment for that program, as well as for other patients in need of chemical dependency rehabilitation. The full time staff includes psychiatrists, nurses and other medical specialists, social workers, addictions counselors, recreation therapists and a dietician.

“Chemical dependency health problems cause distress not only for the particular patient, but also for the family members. If you or a loved one are struggling with alcoholism or substance abuse related issues, especially if the problems have not responded to outpatient interventions, consider NUMC’s inpatient chemical dependency rehabilitation services for comprehensive evaluation and treatment,” said Steven Walerstein, MD, NHCC’s Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs and Medical Director.

Major issues facing persons that result in severe difficulties coping with daily life may include: sudden changes in work or school attendance and/or performance, withdrawal from family and friends, deterioration of physical appearance associating with known drug users/dealers, chronic borrowing of money from family and friends, using substances to deal with problems, irritability, sadness or depression and otherwise unexplained medical or physical health problems.

“Chemical dependency issues are as severe as physical illness and can be very painful if not treated effectively. Our interdisciplinary team will help ensure that each client will receive a comprehensive psychosocial assessment and an individualized treatment plan,” stated Nyapati Rao, MD, Chair of the Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Department at NUMC.

“NUMC’s chemical Dependency Rehabilitation Unit, designed to let the people of Long Island know the expertise of our treatment staff, provides a vital service that enables patients and families in crisis the ability to begin to build a solid foundation in recovery, including the tools for a relapse prevention plan to assist the client in resuming a healthy responsible lifestyle,” concluded Mr. Gianelli.