ABOUT HACKENSACK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL GROUP
One of New Jersey’s largest health care providers, Hackensack University Medical Group offers inpatient treatment services for youth, adults, and seniors struggling with primary psychiatric disorders, chemical dependency, or co-occurring disorders. Located in the community of Hackensack, 18 miles northwest of New York City, the hospital’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine provides crisis intervention, stabilization services, and intensive short-term treatment.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
According to the center’s website, upon intake, patients participate in an initial psychiatric evaluation and, if applicable, substance abuse assessment. The assessment helps clinicians to identify diagnosable symptoms and form a personalized treatment plan. Although specific information concerning the hospital’s treatment programming is limited, hospital-based inpatient programs are typically designed to rapidly stabilize the patient and refer the individual to a less-intensive level of care.
To stabilize the patient, the hospital may blend pharmacological intervention and ongoing medication management with therapeutic counseling sessions to treat specific symptoms of a primary psychiatric condition or co-occurring disorder. Typically, patients admitted to a hospital for a substance abuse disorder also participate in counseling sessions to address the underlying issues contributing to their addictive behavior.
Psychoeducational classes may also help to teach patients new coping techniques and relapse prevention skills. To tailor its treatment approach, the psychiatric department offers issue- and age-specific programming. Specialized program tracks include treatment for chemical dependency, eating disorders, thought and mood disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and personality disorders.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
The center’s website notes that Hackensack University Medical Group employs a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, licensed professional counselors, psychiatric nurses, and behavioral health technicians. Two of the three individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing gave perfect five out of five-star ratings for the treatment staff’s level of training and experience. The third rated this area of the facility with three stars.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
There is currently no information provided by the facility regarding its living arrangements and related offerings, however, the three individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com gave polarized opinions concerning its cleanliness and upkeep.
While two survey respondents rated its cleanliness four and five out of five stars, the third individual rated the facility’s cleanliness with just one star. The two loved ones polled gave the center four stars when asked about the center’s accommodations and amenities, while the sole alum to provide feedback gave the center three stars for this category.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
The sole former client polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing gave generally positive feedback regarding most areas of the facility. The alum gave the center five-star ratings for its holistic offerings and discharge planning, as well as four-star ratings for its ability to treat co-occurring disorders and its level of family participation. She also agreed that she would recommend Hackensack University Medical Group to others. “Good treatment,” the former client wrote.
On Google, where the medical center as a whole is reviewed rather than psychiatric services in particular, Hackensack received 4.2 average stars from 1,076 reviewers to date.[1]
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
The two loved ones polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing both reported that the facility was effective overall, though differed in their opinions concerning certain areas. However, both loved ones gave the center five out of five stars regarding the staff’s level of training and experience. “Compassion by all staff,” one anonymous loved one wrote.
They also offered ratings of four and five stars for the facility’s ability to treat co-occurring disorders. One survey respondent gave four stars for the level of family participation, while the other loved one gave this aspect of the facility two stars.
One of the anonymous loved ones felt the lack of alternative treatments, such as yoga, was a weakness and gave the facility a rating of one star for its counseling options. The other loved one gave the facility’s counseling options a three-star rating and wrote, “It was good for my loved one.”
FINANCING
According to the facility’s website, Hackensack University Medical Group accepts most private insurance plans, as well as Medicaid and Medicare.[1]