ABOUT FLAGLER HOSPITAL – BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Located in St. Augustine, Florida, Flagler Hospital offers a 21-bed inpatient unit, as well as a partial hospitalization program (PHP) and intensive outpatient program (IOP), for individuals struggling with a primary psychiatric disorder, chemical dependency, or co-occurring disorders. According to a 2016 SAMHSA survey, the facility is one of 25.3 percent of Florida facilities to offer PHP.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Treatment begins with a psychiatric, and if needed, substance use assessment. Depending on the diagnosis, the hospital may refer those with a primary substance use disorder to a facility that specializes in chemical dependency treatment. As a hospital-based program, the goal of treatment is to quickly stabilize the patient, if necessary, and refer them to a less-restrictive level of care.
Those enrolled in the inpatient program participate in group, individual, and family counseling, as well as receive medication intervention and management. Therapy focuses on improving coping and life skills, relapse prevention techniques, and stress reduction. Treatment is rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). The facility also offers nutritional and spiritual counseling and facilitates therapeutic recreational activities.
Once individuals in inpatient are stabilized, they may be referred to one of the hospital’s outpatient-based treatment programs. PHP and IOP involve counseling, education, and ongoing medication management. Discharge planning is also available, as well as nursing and social work assessments. Loved ones are invited to participate in bi-monthly family support groups.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
Flagler Hospital employs psychiatrists, registered nurses, licensed clinical social workers, licensed mental health counselors, recreational therapists, pastoral counselors, internists, and behavioral health technicians. The three individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com at this time of writing unanimously rated staff’s level of experience and training a perfect five stars.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
Flagler hospital’s website notes that the behavioral health unit is a 21-bed facility. Patients have access to 24/7 care. Of the three individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com, two gave perfect five-star ratings for the facility’s cleanliness, though one survey respondent gave two stars for this aspect of the facility.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
The two alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com gave polarized feedback for the facility. While both rated Flagler Hospital five out of five stars for its discharge planning and the staff’s training and experience, they disagreed regarding its counseling options. One alum awarded counseling options five stars and wrote: “Very good I like them.” However, the other alum rated counseling options only one star and gave a two-star rating for the facility’s ability to treat co-occurring disorders.
On Yelp, two reviewers rated the Flagler Hospital three and four out of five stars.[1] One praised the facility’s accommodations, while the other wrote: “Clean well staffed with caring attitudes positive atmosphere.”
On the hospital’s Facebook page, which the facility can manage, almost 500 reviews rated the facility, as a whole, four or five out of five stars, out of 675 total.[2] Many reviewers praised the compassionate care from staff.
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
The sole loved one polled by Best-rehabs.com at this time of writing gave an overwhelmingly positive review of Flagler Hospital, offering perfect five-star ratings for all evaluated metrics, including the level of family participation, counseling options, and its discharge planning. “The employees are the best people know,” the loved one wrote.
FINANCING
Flagler Hospital accepts a range of insurance plans, including Aetna, Cigna, and Humana. The hospital also accepts Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, and self-pay. The hospital’s charity care program may provide financial assistance for un- and underinsured individuals who qualify.
CONCLUSION
In March 2018, Flagler Hospital was named one of America’s 100 best hospitals by Healthgrades.
[1] https://www.yelp.com/biz/outpatient-behavioral-health-clinic-flagler-hospital-st-augustine
[2] https://www.facebook.com/pg/flaglerhospital/reviews/?ref=page_internal