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At last, the Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) at Coast Plaza Hospital has received its first psychiatric patients admitted for care on an involuntary basis. The first such patient was admitted July 25, within hours of the hospital receiving final notification allowing for involuntary admissions.

The first involuntary admissions follow the unit’s licensing with LPS designation by the California Department of Public Health in June. Created by the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act of California, which took effect in 1972, the license provides for the commitment of individuals with mental health disorders and provides protection for the legal rights of such individuals.

Since the licensing was received from the California Department of Public Health June 4, BHU staff have waited to receive access to the Department of Justice court-based systems for receiving involuntary referrals. In the meantime, additional staff have been recruited and specialized LPS staff training has taken place with representatives of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.

“We have taken many steps to ensure that we are ready to receive these patients along with the voluntary admissions that have already taken place over this last year,” said hospital CEO Victor Carrasco.

“This is an important milestone for Coast Plaza’s service to our communities, and increasing volume in our BHU is a key component of our hospital’s growth strategy.”

Expanded access to behavioral health services is a crucial development for the unit’s targeted population of Medi-Cal eligible patients. The unit serves not only patients from Norwalk, but also patients served by Coast Plaza’s sister hospitals — Memorial Hospital of Gardena, Community Hospital of Huntington Park and East Los Angeles Doctors Hospital – and other patients from surrounding communities.

Hospital leaders across ɫ�������� are reminded to refer BHU patients to Coast Plaza through the Patient Hub, the company’s call center staffed 24/7. The number to call for transfers is 877-632-7852.

“Importantly, our Behavioral Health Unit not only provides appropriate care for patients with mental health needs, but also is expected to relieve over-crowding in area emergency departments – including our Pipeline EDs — where patients with behavioral issues often show up,” Carrasco said.

Coast Plaza’s Behavioral Health Unit includes 37 adult inpatient beds with a room for dining as well as therapeutic diversional activities.

“Our over-arching goal is to provide acute inpatient behavioral health care and then help patients transition from the inpatient setting to community-based care and healthier, productive lives,” Carrasco added.

July 26, 2024