Funds Will Help Renovate Behavioral Health Unit to Meet New Federal Regulations
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Akron: The Ohio capital budget bill (Senate Bill 310) that was approved Friday includes $700,000 for Cleveland Clinic Akron General to upgrade its 52-bed inpatient behavioral health unit to meet new federal regulations.
Akron General is one of the few providers of inpatient psychiatric care in Northeast Ohio, and treats patients from Summit, Medina, Stark, Portage, Wayne and Tuscarawas counties.
Renovations are required in order to meet new regulations by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to create the safest possible care environment. The $14 million project includes replacing doors, beds, bathrooms, furniture and flooring.
“The pandemic has underscored the great need to address mental health issues, both in terms of treatment and facilities,” said Akron General President Brian Harte, M.D. “We greatly appreciate the state’s support of our efforts to provide the highest level of safety for our patients.”
Design plans for the renovations are in development. The unit will continue operating at a reduced capacity while the work is completed.
Akron General is one of the few hospitals in Ohio to be awarded money for projects through the state capital budget this year. The $700,000 grant will come from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
About Cleveland Clinic Akron General
Cleveland Clinic Akron General is a nonprofit healthcare organization that has been improving the health and lives of the people and communities it serves since 1914. Akron General is the hub for Cleveland Clinic’s Southern Region and includes a 532-registered-bed teaching and research medical center in downtown Akron; Akron General Partners, which includes Partners Physician Group; three Health & Wellness Centers; Lodi Hospital; and Akron General Foundation. For more information, visit akrongeneral.org.
About Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation’s best hospitals in its annual “America’s Best Hospitals” survey. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 66,000 employees are more than 4,200 salaried physicians and researchers and 16,600 nurses, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic’s health system includes a 165-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 11 regional hospitals in northeast Ohio, more than 180 northern Ohio outpatient locations – including 18 full-service family health centers and three health and wellness centers – and locations in southeast Florida; Las Vegas, Nev.; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2018, there were 7.9 million total outpatient visits, 238,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 220,000 surgical cases throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 185 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at twitter.com/CCforMedia and twitter.com/ClevelandClinic. News and resources available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.
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