Inpatient Services for Patients with Eating Disorders

Patients who are not medically stable are cared for on the Inpatient Medical Unit. Medical care includes 24-hour cardiac monitoring, bed rest and carefully increasing caloric intake. Additional interventions include monitoring of blood chemistry and addressing related medical conditions associated with the refeeding process, which is a medically complex time. The goal of hospitalization is to achieve medical stability and evaluate further treatment needs.

Some causes of medical instability include:

• Abnormal electrolyte levels
• Significant weight loss
• Low heart rate
• Frequent binging and purging

Additional Program Components

Nutrition Therapy

The nutrition therapist meets with patients daily to work to normalize food patterns and address distorted beliefs about nutrition.

Therapeutic Meals

The nursing staff provide supervision and support as patients work to normalize eating patterns and work through anxiety related to food and weight.

Individual and Family Therapy

Individual and family therapy is an integral part of all levels of care. The frequency and type of therapy interventions are based on a patient’s medical stability, age and readiness to make changes. Assessment by a child and adolescent psychiatrist includes coordination of the comprehensive treatment plan and consideration of medications which may facilitate the recovery process.

Afternoon Group Therapy

As the patient improves and can be off the cardiac monitor for a two-hour period or more, they may attend afternoon group therapy, held in the Day Treatment Pavilion. These groups have a cognitive-behavioral and psychoeducational focus, and emphasize learning about and developing the skills essential for recovery.

Therapeutic Activity Program

As patients continue to make medical progress, our therapeutic recreation/child life specialists add walks, stretching and toning activities to their daily regimen.

Body Image Assessment

The therapeutic recreation/child life specialist works with patients individually and in groups to address issues related to body image disturbances. Body mapping, and other activities help provide insight into the patient’s body image distortion.

Transition From the Medical Environment

As patients become medically stable and need less structure, treatment is focused toward continued recovery. Patients may also begin attending groups for longer periods of time while on the medical unit, to ease the transition. Many patients move to the eating disorder unit and then through the day treatment program on their course toward recovery.

Eating Disorder Inpatient Unit (EDU)

The EDU is an innovative compliment to our continuum of care. The unit can accommodate seven individuals in five private rooms and one semi-private room and is specialized to meet the needs of individuals with eating disorders. Patients participate in the Eating Disorder Day Treatment Program and continue to receive nutrition therapy, individual and family therapy, medical monitoring, and psychiatric assessment. The weekend program includes activities and field trips to support a healthy lifestyle while discovering old and new interests that have been inhibited by the presence of the eating disorder.