Dr. Masood Aslam, M.D., Administrator & Medical Director
Kathleen Tedeschi, Administrative Director of Nurses
(856) 374-6895
In
the midst of recent studies pointing to a dramatic increase in the
incidence of mental illness, hope prevails.
The healthcare community continues to make significant advances in
learning more about the origin of emotional and mental disorders.
Protocols now recognize brain chemistry imbalances, heredity, and
environmental circumstances as interrelated factors contributing to
particular psychiatric problems.
Most mental health professionals agree that psychological concerns
should be addressed in the least restrictive setting. For some
individuals, however, inpatient hospitalization remains the preferred site
of treatment. This holds particularly true when it's determined that an
individual needs, and would benefit from, the protective and supportive
atmosphere of 24-hour care.
The staff of the 158-bed Behavioral Healthcare Services Group works
closely with
other
community resources in providing the region with an integrated continuum
of care. Crisis screening centers, private practitioners, and social
service agencies all look to the Center for specialized levels of
treatment.
Clients entering Behavioral Healthcare Services benefit from a
comprehensive evaluation in the Admissions Unit. Following results of
interdisciplinary clinical assessments, patients are transferred to the
appropriate treatment unit.
Each unit operates independently and addresses particular types of
diagnosis and severity of illness. Commonly seen are affective disorders,
schizophrenia, and mental illness compounded by a chemical addiction (see
section below). When appropriate, patients gain
further
confidence in building positive life skills at an adjunct eight-bed
transitional residence. This home-like setting sees recently discharged
patients learning valuable vocational and coping skills for an easy
reentry as productive members of society.
Because of the acuity of cases, the length of treatment at the Center
tends to be somewhat longer than other community resources. One of only
two State-licensed facilities in southern New Jersey to offer care of an
extended duration, Behavioral Healthcare Services' core of services are
individually tailored to meet patients' specific and unique needs.
Teams comprising nurses, social services, and rehab services ensure
that the talents of the professional staff are fully integrated in
developing treatment plans and reviewing a patient's progress. Overall
clinical direction is provided by a full-time Director of Medical Affairs
and complemented by a staff of psychiatrists from leading
university-affiliated hospitals. Their collective goal: to return patients
to as meaningful a life as possible within the shortest amount of time.
Mental Illness Chemical Abuse (MICA) Program
The Mental Illness Chemical Abuse (MICA) Program at
Camden County Health Services Center (CCHSC) addresses the clinical needs
of a select client population.
MICA at the Center is a voluntary inpatient
program which utilizes a discharge-oriented, multidisciplinary treatment
team approach. Once admitted to the MICA Program, clients benefit from a
therapeutic atmosphere and individualized treatment protocols. Full-time
psychiatrists, including one certified by the American Society of
Addiction Medicine (ASAM), oversee a healthcare team comprising
specially-trained nurses, social service workers, certified drug and
alcohol counselors, psychologists, mental health workers, activities
coordinators, and
education services and rehab services. The team also has access to the
backup support of dental and medical services and dietitians.
Duration of the Program varies and is dependent
on the individual needs of clients.
Community Adjustment Program
The Community Adjustment Program (CAP) is designed to focus intensive programming and staff resources on patients who are clinically ready for discharge but face significant obstacles in obtaining appropriate community placement. In this program, the patients have an opportunity to test and further develop the skills needed for successful community living while actively seeking post-hospital placement. The CAP is housed in a residential type facility across the street from the main hospital and has the capacity to serve up to eight patients. All patients must be referred by their hospital-based treatment team.
About
Admission Criteria
County crisis screening centers initiate referrals to
the MICA Program. Screening center staff working with their counterparts
at CCHSC facilitate the evaluation and transfer of appropriate MICA
clients to the Program in a timely manner. Evaluations by CCHSC staff are
available 24 hours a day. Specific admission criteria includes:
- a
serious, persistent mental illness defined in DSM-IV
- at least 18
years-old and voluntary in nature
- a chemical abuse disorder
- an absence
of substance-induced deficits, dementia, delirium, or mental
retardation
- physical
functioning allowing group, individual, education services, and activities
of
daily living
- an
attainable GAF sufficient to allow post-treatment
- placement in the community
- free of
detainer
About
Reimbursement
The MICA Program admits all clinically-appropriate
patients regardless of the nature or source of payment. For more
information call 856-374-6828.
About
the Center
The MICA Program and medically monitored detox are
specialized services within the 158-bed Behavioral Healthcare Services
Group.
In addition to behavioral healthcare, the Center offers general and special-needs long-term nursing care in a separate 291-bed wing.
Located off Rte. 42, Camden County Health
Services Center completed a $45 million replacement program in 1996
that consolidated all clinical and support services in one 226,000 sq. ft.
facility. The Center stands among the newest major healthcare resources in
the entire southern New Jersey region, and offers all clinical services
and employment opportunities regardless of race, origin, creed, or
religion.
About
Medical Detoxification
CCHSC recently enhanced the scope of its MICA Program
by offering medically-monitored detoxification. The decision to establish
this service responds to the documented community needs, and follows over
a year of planning and training by Center clinicians in meeting Level
III.7-D requirements of the ASAM Patient Placement Criteria.
The target population benefiting from medically-monitored detox are those individuals experiencing signs of imminent or severe withdrawal.
Some of the benefits available to mental health
professionals and their clients:
- specialized clinical consultation and
supervision for biomedical and behavioral
problems
- ability to conduct toxicology and other tests
- 24-hour access by phone to a physician
- round-the-clock care and treatment for
patients and their families
- hourly monitoring, if needed, of patient
progress and medication administration
- biopsychosocial assessments
- discharge planning initiated at the time of admission
MICA Program
Behavioral Healthcare Services
Camden County Health Services Center
20 Woodbury Turnersville Road
Blackwood, NJ 08012
856-374-6828
Camden County Health Services Center is a government-sponsored and funded facility under the direction of the Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders, with an independent Board of Managers responsible for oversight.
Licensure: New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services,
Division of Health Facilities
Accreditation: Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare
Organizations
Memberships: American Hospital Association, New Jersey Hospital
Association, National Treatment Consortium, Inc., International
Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services
Approved: Medicare and Medicaid
