Charlotte, NC
The new Mecklenburg County Crisis Center is a “no wrong door” behavioral health crisis center for adults in the Charlotte region. Upon intake, the BHUC provides a 23-hour observation space where clients receive stabilizing treatment before being referred to the appropriate level of care. The operational target is to defer up to 70% of patients from inpatient admission to lower levels of care following stabilization. The intake process includes integrated primary care services and rapid assessment.
The BHUC is based on a big room approach with a large space for Multiple-Patient Observation serving up to 12 guests. The unit includes spaces for Group Therapy, Dining, Laundry and Consultation. A quiet room is available for patients to self-select de-escalation. A Secure Holding Room is available for patients who require mandated deescalation.
The unit has two separate entrances: a walk-in entrance and a first responder drop-off entrance. Each entrance has its own intake area designed to accommodate the different levels of acuity typical at each location. Each intake area has a space for taking vitals and a private area for a provider interview and triage. Each space has a room designed to support a dignified process for removing contraband, potential weapons or any other physical or health dangers, documenting and storing belongings and providing any clean up needed. The intake areas do not require a full exam room.
The unit has a primary work area for staff called the “Staff Island” which is designed as an open desk to maximize observation and engagement. Supporting the Staff Island are staff-only spaces for a medication room, offices and treatment team which can also serve as a Consult room. The medication room is a full clinical space designed to accommodate an Omnicell with refrigerator, sink and computer. It is located so the nurse can dispense medications directly to patients at a secure wall opening designed for this purpose.
The facility also includes a 16-bed short stay acute inpatient unit for patients who need additional stabilization and more intensive treatment. The rooms are separated into two cohorts so patients can be separated as appropriate to support census and clinical goals. The patient toilet/ shower rooms are accessed from the corridor and directly observable from the Staff Island which is clinically indicated because of the short stay and acute nature of the patients. It also features spaces for Group Therapy, Active and Quiet social space, Dining, and Consultation. A Quiet room is available for patients to self-select de-escalation. A Seclusion/Restraint suite is available for patients who require mandated de-escalation. The suite is designed to accommodate either restraint or seclusion as the need arises.
The new Mecklenburg County Crisis Center is a “no wrong door” behavioral health crisis center for adults in the Charlotte region. Upon intake, the BHUC provides a 23-hour observation space where clients receive stabilizing treatment before being referred to the appropriate level of care. The operational target is to defer up to 70% of patients from inpatient admission to lower levels of care following stabilization. The intake process includes integrated primary care services and rapid assessment.
The BHUC is based on a big room approach with a large space for Multiple-Patient Observation serving up to 12 guests. The unit includes spaces for Group Therapy, Dining, Laundry and Consultation. A quiet room is available for patients to self-select de-escalation. A Secure Holding Room is available for patients who require mandated deescalation.
The unit has two separate entrances: a walk-in entrance and a first responder drop-off entrance. Each entrance has its own intake area designed to accommodate the different levels of acuity typical at each location. Each intake area has a space for taking vitals and a private area for a provider interview and triage. Each space has a room designed to support a dignified process for removing contraband, potential weapons or any other physical or health dangers, documenting and storing belongings and providing any clean up needed. The intake areas do not require a full exam room.
The unit has a primary work area for staff called the “Staff Island” which is designed as an open desk to maximize observation and engagement. Supporting the Staff Island are staff-only spaces for a medication room, offices and treatment team which can also serve as a Consult room. The medication room is a full clinical space designed to accommodate an Omnicell with refrigerator, sink and computer. It is located so the nurse can dispense medications directly to patients at a secure wall opening designed for this purpose.
The facility also includes a 16-bed short stay acute inpatient unit for patients who need additional stabilization and more intensive treatment. The rooms are separated into two cohorts so patients can be separated as appropriate to support census and clinical goals. The patient toilet/ shower rooms are accessed from the corridor and directly observable from the Staff Island which is clinically indicated because of the short stay and acute nature of the patients. It also features spaces for Group Therapy, Active and Quiet social space, Dining, and Consultation. A Quiet room is available for patients to self-select de-escalation. A Seclusion/Restraint suite is available for patients who require mandated de-escalation. The suite is designed to accommodate either restraint or seclusion as the need arises.
