Western State Hospital, one of four state-operated or state-supported acute psychiatric facilities in Kentucky, is a 165-bed free-standing hospital with a median length of stay of six days for new admissions. Approximately 690 employees treat approximately 2,100 adults during the course of a year.
WSH’s Admissions Unit is the entry point to the hospital, and initial evaluations and crisis assessment and intervention are a primary focus. On this unit, the treatment team evaluates the needs and initial progress of newly admitted patients, deciding which patients need to stay beyond the initial 72-hour court-ordered hold, and determining which outpatients services or WSH treatment unit will best assist the patients they evaluate. Differential diagnosis, crisis counseling, and risk assessment are primary foci, as well as working with an interdisciplinary team in a higher-pressure decision-making situation.
WSH’s Acute Services program serves patients who will return to their own homes following hospitalization. Assessments for misdemeanor competence, ongoing assessment of patient goals and progress to goals, counseling/psychotherapy, family education, and general psychological testing are primary foci, as well as working with an interdisciplinary team in a short-term treatment setting.
WSH’s Comprehensive Support Program (CSP) serves patients who require placement following hospitalization. Behavioral supports, assessments for misdemeanor competence, civil competence assessments, general testing/service qualification evaluations, and support of the service team are foci, in addition to working with an interdisciplinary team in a setting with intermediate lengths of stay. When possible, group therapy is the most common treatment modality. At times, neuropsychological assessment is needed on this unit with functional capacity and evaluation for major neurocognitive disorder being the most common needs.
WSH’s Multi Needs unit serves patients who require additional care due to medical or neurological concerns during hospitalization. Behavioral supports, group therapy, general testing/service qualifications, dementia screeners, and support of the service team are foci. At times, neuropsychological assessment is needed to determine the presence of major neurocognitive disorder.
Western State Nursing Facility is located on the campus of Western State Hospital and serves long-term geriatric persons with chronic behavioral health needs and physical health issues that require skilled nursing care. The facility, operated by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), is certified for 144 Medicaid approved skilled nursing beds and regulated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements for long-term care facilities.
The mission of Western State Nursing Facility is “To provide the highest quality of care, dignity and a home-like environment for each of our residents by a loving, caring and competent team.”