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Emergency department closure update

The emergency department at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center, University District, permanently closed at 7 a.m. on Friday, December 1, 2023. Inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services in this location will NOT be impacted by the hospital closure and will continue serving patients. Please visit the emergency departments at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center, RiverBend, McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center or PeaceHealth Cottage Grove Community Medical Center if you need emergency psychiatric medical care. 

Inpatient Behavioral Health at PeaceHealth University District

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Photo of Inpatient Behavioral Health at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center University District
770 E 11th Ave
Eugene, OR 97401

Behavioral Health provides inpatient care for adults 18 and over, outpatient care for patients of all ages, and promotes early screening and intervention for improved patient outcomes. Our staff includes psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, registered nurses and mental health techs.  

The Behavioral Health staff works in partnership with the people and families we serve. Together we create a safe, healing, and accepting environment for those experiencing a crisis in their mental or emotional well-being. We are committed to the treatment and recovery of the whole person through the consistent and collaborative delivery of quality patient-centered care.

Outpatient treatment options include psychiatry, counseling and case management.  Clinical staff are prepared to assist with a variety of mental health issues.

Inpatient treatment consists of working with an interdisciplinary treatment team to create goals and interventions geared toward optimizing mental and emotional well being.

How do I know when I need help?

Warning signs that your ability to cope may be compromised might include:

  • Physical complaints when no medical cause can be found
  • Excessive anxiety
  • Prolonged feelings of despair and unhappiness, withdrawal and lack of interest in daily activities
  • Feelings of being overwhelmed and helpless, lack of hope
  • An unusual amount of irritability or suspiciousness
  • Thoughts of harming yourself or others
  • The presence of auditory or visual hallucinations
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Sudden shifts in mood or behavior
  • Changes in sleeping/eating/spending habits
  • Excessive use of alcohol / drugs
Appointments and Insurance

How Can I Get Help?

Counselors and prescribers are in a variety of locations.  To schedule an appointment, call:

541-242-8400 (Barger Medical Building)
541-685-1794 (University District)
541-222-2185 (RiverBend Pavilion)

We will connect you with an appropriate and caring professional. Early morning and evening appointments are available.

Insurance

Your insurance may require a physician referral for counseling or psychiatric services. Check with your insurance company about your plan benefits. Find out:

  • What your benefit is for the service you want
  • The dollar amount (or percentage) of the benefit
  • If a copayment is required
  • The length of the benefit (i.e., annual or lifetime)
Discharge Summary

Discharge Planning for Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department with a Behavioral Health Crisis Policy (UD)

PURPOSE

To provide safe discharge planning for patients presenting to the emergency room with a Behavioral Health crisis or are hospitalized for mental health treatment.

POLICY

Patients presenting in the emergency room and/or behavior health inpatient unit will be discharged in a safe manner that is in accordance with OR House Bill 3090, Oregon Laws 2017, chapter 272.

Requirements:

  1. The following procedures are to be used when discharging patients from an inpatient behavioral health unit and/or Emergency Department.

a. The patient will be encouraged to sign an authorization form and identify a lay caregiver (“discharge support person”) that may participate in the patient’s discharge planning.  

b. The patient will be provided information on benefits of involving a lay caregiver (“discharge support person”), disclosing health information, and limits to the disclosure.

c. A patient risk assessment for suicidal ideation will be performed prior to discharge. 

d. A long-term needs assessment will be performed prior to the patient’s discharge.

e. Care Coordination including transition to outpatient treatment that includes at least one of the following: community-based providers, peer support, lay caregiver (“discharge support person”), or others who can implement the plan of care    

f. This policy, or summary of the policy, will be publicly available by posting to the hospital web site and a copy of this information will be provided to the patient at admission and at discharge.

g. In the emergency room: (Additional Requirements)

i. Same as 1.a thru 1.g

ii. A behavioral health assessment must be performed by a behavioral health clinician.

iii. If indicated by the patient risk assessment, the patient will not be discharged without a safety plan and lethal prevention counseling plan.

iv. A process for case management involvement in after care will be established and provided to the patient prior to discharge.

v. A process for including caring contacts to transition to outpatient services must be attempted within 48 hours of patient discharge.  “Caring contacts” are defined as brief communications between the patient and a provider to successfully transition the patient to outpatient services. (Clinician, peer-support specialist, peer wellness, family support or youth support specialist certified by the Oregon Health Authority, Health Systems Division

1. Facilitated through a contract with a qualified community based behavioral health provider or through suicide prevention hotline.

2. May be through telemedicine or phone

3. Must be performed within 48 hours of discharge from an emergency room if a patient has a recent suicide attempt or current expression of suicidal ideation.

HELP: 

For questions about this policy, or assistance with understanding your obligations under this policy, please contact the manager of Emergency Department and/or Behavioral Health Services.

DEFINITIONS

Patient: An individual receiving care at a PHD.

PeaceHealth Division (PHD): A medical center, clinic, operating unit, or operating division of PeaceHealth that maintains day-to-day management oversight of a designated portion of PeaceHealth System operations. PHDs may be based on a geographic market or dedication to a service line or business.

APPROVALS

Initial Approval: 11/20/2018

CNO UD 11/20/2018

CNO RB 11/20/2018

Nursing Director CG 11/20/2018

Nursing Director PH 11/20/2018

For Adults

PeaceHealth’s counseling and psychiatric services are designed to help you and your family cope with problems in such areas as:

  • Anxiety and stress
  • Depression, grief and loss
  • Emotional, physical and sexual abuse
  • Marital and partner relationships
  • Mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
  • Parenting
  • Work and finances
For Children & Adolescents

Behavioral Health Outpatient offers help for children and adolescents coping with mental or emotional stress. A full range of services for behavioral, emotional and developmental problems is provided. Our professional staff is trained to effectively meet the special needs of this age group, and find solutions for a healthier, positive outlook on life.

Children and adolescents may need special help in the following areas:

  • Anxiety and stress
  • Attention deficit disorder and its variations
  • Anger management
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Conduct disorder
  • Depression, grief and loss
  • Developmental issues
  • Emotional, physical or sexual abuse
  • Learning and school-related problems
  • Autism spectrum of disorders
In Crisis

A key step in reducing suicide is to get those in need into treatment. Learn to recognize and respond to signs of suicide at Stop A Suicide. The Web site features a suicide risk questionnaire, which helps identify the signs of suicide, and other resources.

Stop a Suicide Today is a national effort to raise the awareness of the American public to the “ACT” approach to suicide prevention:

  • Acknowledge that your friend/loved one has a problem
  • Care: let them know that you care about them
  • Treatment: get them to a professional for treatment

To contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and speak to someone right away, call 1-800-273-8255.

Inpatient Information

The Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit is located in a remodeled and expanded space on the campus of PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center, University District, in Eugene. This acute psychiatric unit provides a safe and healing environment in which to treat people experiencing psychiatric crises.

Treatment involves medical, psychological and social services, and is specific to each patient. The amount of time a patient stays on the Unit is generally brief, usually less than a week. Each patient is encouraged to participate in his or her own care, and the patient and family help make decisions about treatment. Care is provided in the least restrictive environment that will assure both safe and effective treatment of patients.

Behavioral Health represents Peace Health Sacred Heart’s commitment to providing compassionate, patient-and-family centered care based on the best practices in medicine today.

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.

Family & Friends Night

Visiting hours are extended on Tuesdays and run 5:30-8:00pm. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) holds a presentation from 7:00 pm to 8:00pm and visitors are encouraged to attend. 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. Local volunteers are available to answer questions, share resources for families and patients, and offer support. You can reach them Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 541-343-7688.

Our Services

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