St. Luke’s University Health Network has expanded its behavioral health services in Carbon County, opening a new Older Adult Behavioral Health Unit at its Gnaden Huetten campus at 211 N. 12th St. in Lehighton.

The new unit has 20 inpatient beds for individuals 55 and older and is located in space in the former Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital that was completely renovated for this purpose. St. Luke’s merged with Blue Mountain Health System, which included Gnaden Huetten and Palmerton hospitals, in the fall of 2017.

“St. Luke’s University Health Network is proud of its rich tradition of providing superior care for patients with behavioral health diagnoses since our founding in 1872,” said Christina Zelko Bennick, vice president of the unit service line. “Certainly, the complexity and depth of the specialty has changed — but thanks to generations of outstanding behavioral health professionals and their commitment to quality and compassionate care, St Luke’s continues to play a leadership role in providing superior services to our communities.”

The behavioral health unit has an interdisciplinary treatment team that includes a psychiatrist with special training in treating geriatric patients, nurses, mental health technicians, case managers and activity therapists. The inpatient unit provides personalized treatment for mental illness including prolonged depression, delusions or hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, and substance abuse. The program combines medical and psychological aspects of treatment for the best outcomes for each patient in a supportive and secured setting 24 hours a day.

The inpatient unit for older adults is in addition to our 22-bed adult unit that provides care to patients 18 to 54 years of age. A total of 176 inpatient behavioral health beds are in service throughout the network. They are located at the Sacred Heart, Quakertown and Gnaden Huetten campuses.

“Our team of highly skilled professionals are well-versed on the unique needs of senior care,” Zelko Bennick added. “This project demonstrates the commitment of our Network to our behavioral health patients, staff and providers as well as our ongoing investment in the local community.”

Palmerton ER

St. Luke’s is also improving patient satisfaction with its emergency services in Carbon County. Its efforts have been recognized by Press Ganey, a patient experience company based in South Bend, Indiana.

Since the summer, St. Luke’s Palmerton Campus’ Press Ganey patient satisfaction scores for its emergency room have increased by 20 percent, noted Marsha Moyer, Patient Care Manager for Palmerton and Gnaden Huetten. “Our scores show that we are making significant progress and in a short time,” she said.