PHMG: Behavioral Health Services - Patient Information

For individuals with an acute mental illness, seriously disturbed thinking, or suicidal or homicidal thoughts, a brief stay in the psychiatric unit, also known as the Johnson Unit, at Sacred Heart Medical Center, University District, may be helpful. This acute psychiatric unit treats people experiencing psychiatric crises triggered by depression, bipolar disorders, psychotic disorders, results of trauma or other causes.

Patients are treated by an interdisciplinary team including psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, counselors and recreation therapists. Patients are admitted through the Emergency Department or by arrangement with a primary care physician working with a psychiatrist.

Program of care
Our philosophy is to provide a safe and healing environment. Treatments provided to patients in the Johnson Unit include medical, psychological and social services. The specific care provided to a patient is determined by the physician in consultation with other members of the treatment team including nurses, counselors and social workers. The amount of time a patient stays with us is generally brief, usually less than a week.

We provide treatment and education groups tailored to the needs of the individual. Sometimes the patient’s care may not include groups or unit activities, perhaps because the most therapeutic approach is to help reduce stimulation to the patient o\r because of safety concerns. Our policy and philosophy is to provide a maximum of freedom to encourage each patient to participate in his or her own care. We strive to involve the patient and the family in decisions about treatment. We provide care in the least restrictive environment that will assure both safety and effective treatment for our patients. To inquire about treatments and program of care, please contact the Johnson Unit manager at 686-7044.

Patient belongings
Patients are generally expected to wear their own street clothing while here. Bring sufficient changes of casual and comfortable clothing for your friend or family member while he or she is a patient here. Patients have access to laundry facilities on the unit. We ask that patients keep no more than $5 with them, so you should take home any cash beyond this value as well as checkbooks, credit cards, valuables and personal medications.

Blankets of Love volunteers
make patchwork quilts to share
with patients on the Johnson Unit.

If necessary, larger cash sums or credit cards may be placed in the hospital safe. The hospital does not accept responsibility for the loss of personal property by patients while in the hospital. Many patients enjoy having family pictures or familiar personal items in their rooms, and this is generally encouraged.

Restricted items
For the protection of our patients, we do not allow medicines or sharp objects such as knives, razors and scissors to be kept in patient rooms. Items such as these may be locked in the nurses’ station or, preferably, sent home. Special safety razors are provided by the unit for patient use. Patients may use their own electric razors, hairdryers, radios and some other electrical appliances on the unit, but these must be cleared through the nurses’ station. Radios with external antennae and personal televisions may not be used on the unit. We ask that when you bring any belongings to your friend or relative, you first bring these to the nurses’ station to be checked.

Smoking
The psychiatric unit is a smoke-free area. No smoking is allowed in the building by patients or visitors. Visitors are encouraged to use designated smoking areas outside.

Visiting hours
12:45 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 7 p.m. daily
We encourage family and friends to visit unless the physician or staff feel that visits should be temporarily restricted; we will let you know if this is the case. Exceptions to these visiting hours may be made, but please check with staff first. We encourage visitors to come in small groups of two or three so as to not overwhelm patients. Children may visit, although young children (under the age of 12) need prior approval from staff and should come only for brief visits. The length of time or area of visiting may be restricted according to the patient’s condition. Staff will inform you if there are restrictions.

Families Are Welcome Night: Thursdays, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Families will be involved in a variety of recreational activities to promote interaction, learn new activity ideas and have fun. Patients without family members are also welcome to attend. Families will be invited to attend at the end of visiting hours. The activity will be facilitated by the unit’s recreational specialist.

Family Information Night: Tuesdays, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) has volunteers at the Johnson Unit each Tuesday evening. NAMI Oregon (800/950-6264) is a statewide grassroots organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals with mental illness and their families through support, education and advocacy. Volunteers are available to answer questions, share resources for families and patients, and offer support.

Telephones and confidentiality
All of our staff are bound by rules of confidentiality and may be limited in the information they can provide. While we value family involvement, priorities of patient care may limit staff availability for phone responses. We encourage you to call and talk with the patient directly. Patients do not have telephones in their rooms, but there are two phones on the unit for patient use. Cell phones are not permitted in the Johnson Unit. To call a friend or relative in the Johnson Unit, please telephone 686-3608 or 686-3609. If your friend or relative is unable to converse with you directly, you may call the nurses’ station at 686-7058.

Passes
Passes are sometimes allowed for patients as part of a treatment plan. Passes are for therapeutic purposes, helping to prepare for discharge. These can be either short “walking passes,” or passes for several hours. Passes must be ordered by the patient’s physician and coordinated with the nursing staff.

Johnson Unit, Behavioral Health Services
1255 Hilyard
(541) 686-7058
Eugene, Oregon 97401