Inpatient Care

Many psychiatric hospitals treat the Inpatient Unit as a short-term stop before discharge to the next level of care. At Silver Hill, inpatient care goes deeper.

Our multidisciplinary treatment team is focused on diagnostic assessment, crisis stabilization, medication management, symptom reduction, and safe detoxification when indicated. Additionally, we use every resource and an integrated approach to deliver a precise diagnosis, uncover core issues, build meaningful connections with patients and families, and chart the most effective path forward.

Inpatient Care is one of three levels of care in the Silver Hill treatment continuum — Inpatient, Residential, and Outpatient. The primary reasons for Inpatient hospitalization include mood disorders, psychotic episodes, and detoxification from alcohol, sedatives, or opiates.

Following inpatient care, Silver Hill patients may continue treatment at Silver Hill, when fitting, or may continue treatment at a recommended alternative. 

Unparalleled physician/clinician-to-patient ratios
Low clinician-to-patient ratios mean our physicians, social workers, nurses, and psychiatric technicians dedicate impactful attention to each patient every day, every shift. 

Unified, interdisciplinary care 
MDs, psychologists, nurses, social workers, psych techs, and pharmacists collaborate closely on treatment and progress. ‘Daily rounds’ meetings include the full team discussing each patient case, sharing information and perspectives.     

Integrated psychotherapeutic interventions
From the start of an inpatient stay, the psychology team on the inpatient service is available for focused assessment and psychotherapeutic treatment.

Ready access to Silver Hill subject matter experts and treatments 
Experts from residential and outpatient programs consult across a range of conditions: personality and mood disorders, substance use, complex trauma, and psychotic disorders. Inpatients also have access to on-site Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and psychological testing. 

A milieu (not simply a unit)
The inpatient program operates as a community, focused on one-on-one interactions with each patient, access to extensive and beautiful outdoor space, off-unit activities, proactive family involvement, and robust discharge planning. 

Admission and Insurance:   
The Inpatient admissions process at Silver Hill begins prior to arrival with an admissions coordinator working directly with all patients/families and referring providers to ensure the program/level of care is suitable and to exchange relevant information. 

Step 1:
For questions related to inpatient admissions or to initiate the admissions process, please call 1-866-542-4455.
If referring from a hospital or provider’s office, please fax clinical documentation to 203-643-2090.
Step 2:
Screening with patient and admissions coordinator.
Step 3:
[If inpatient care is approved] Admission appointment at Silver Hill to complete paperwork, meet the team, and receive placement in one of Silver Hill’s inpatient units. 

The Silver Hill Inpatient program is in-network with most major providers.

Length of Stay:
The typical length of an Inpatient stay is 7 to 10 days, varying for each patient. Discharge planning is initiated at admission and focuses on coordination of care and transition to the most clinically appropriate next level of care, including residential or intensive outpatient services.    

Treatment Team:
The interdisciplinary staff includes physicians, psychologists, social workers, registered nurses, and psychiatric technicians, as well as additional Silver Hill experts and teams including art and music therapists, library services, spiritual care, and more.  See Team below. 

Treatment and Programming:  
The core treatment in Inpatient care addresses and includes:

• Acute symptom stabilization and detoxification when needed
• Psychological counseling/therapy
• Diagnostic Assessment
• Medication Management

The following treatments and activities support the primary treatment:

• Daily Meetings with Inpatient MD
• 24/7 Nursing Care
• Therapeutic Groups
• Psychoeducation
• Expressive Therapies (Art, Music, Yoga)
• School Support for Adolescents
• Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) (if prescribed by the treatment team)
• Psychological Testing (as recommended by treatment team; additional fee)

Discharge from Inpatient Care
Silver Hill is connected to robust offerings following an inpatient stay — at Silver Hill and recommended alternatives. Each patient and family works closely with the treatment and social work teams to chart the best next steps following discharge.

Silver Hill Inpatient services are provided to adults (ages 18+) and adolescents (ages 13-17) across three secure units with single- and double-occupancy rooms: the Acute Care Unit (ACU) and Main House 2 for adults; and Main House 3 for adolescents. The program offers intensive, individualized attention, with the adult program treating up to 29 patients and the adolescent program treating up to 10 adolescents concurrently.

The primary reasons for Inpatient hospitalization include mood disorders, psychotic episodes, and detoxification from alcohol, sedatives, or opiates.

While providing interdisciplinary care to all patients, the Silver Hill Inpatient team also proactively engages patients’ families through telephone or virtual clinical status updates, psychoeducation, family meetings, all aimed at achieving a deep understanding of the challenges and concerns that many families experience. The Silver Hill team also collaborates closely with outpatient providers from admission through discharge and beyond.

To learn more about the Silver Hill Inpatient program, refer a patient for admission, or find out if it is right for you or a loved one, please contact the Silver Hill Admissions team at 1-866-542-4455.