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Intensive Treatment Unit

at The Johns Hopkins Hospital

The Intensive Treatment Unit (ITU) is an eight-bed inpatient unit designed for rapid (2-4 day) detoxification, stabilization, and substance abuse rehabilitation of patients with drug addiction/dependence complicating other mental health problems. The unit provides detoxification from (narcotic) addiction, using buprenophine supplemented by symptom-specific treatment of withdrawal symptoms. Patients with cocaine, alcohol, and other addictions are treated as well.

ADMISSION CRITERIA

The ITU admits persons with depression or other mental health problems who are dependant on illicit drugs or alcohol. Patients must not be suffering acute medical problems and should not have used drugs in the last 8-12 hours. Patients who are intoxicated or who bring drugs or drug paraphernalia to the unit will not be accepted for admission. Patients must also be willing and able to be active participants in their treatment and recovery.

ITU STAFF

The Intensive Treatment Unit is staffed by an attending psychiatrist, a resident psychiatrist, a clinical case manager, nurses, security personnel, and a patient data coordinator.

MEDICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION

Patients have complete physical and psychiatric evaluations on admission and are re-evaluated throughout their stay. Patients are seen daily by an attending psychiatrist in order to assess and begin appropriate treatment for psychiatric conditions.

ADDICTION EDUCATION

Patients on the ITU attend addiction education groups throughout the course of the day, watch educational videos, attend 12-step meetings in the hospital and are given written self-assessment assignments to complete in which they assess the severity of their addiction, review the impact of addiction on their lives and start planning the next steps in their recovery from addiction.

'DETOX' IS NEVER ENOUGH

Research has shown that individuals who only complete detoxification from drugs or alcohol will start using drugs again as just as often as those who leave a program before their detoxification is complete. All patients are expected to participate to the best of their ability in finding an appropriate program to enter after their ITU admission. The ITU staff provides patients with information and advice on in-patient, outpatient and residential substance abuse rehabilitation facilities. A clinical case manager and nurses will assist patients to make contact with appropriate facilities.

ADMISSION TO THE ITU

Direct referrals to the ITU can be made by calling our Patient Data coordinator at 410-614-4675. Non-psychiatric inpatient units at The Johns Hopkins Hospital wishing to refer a patient to the ITU must arrange for a psychiatric consultation through General Hospital Psychiatry. Persons in the community can come in to one of our outreach centers for confidential assessments and referral to the ITU or other programs. On Mondays and Tuesdays, an assessment nurse is at Beans & Bread, located at 402 S. Bond St in Fells Point, from 11am-2pm. On Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays patients may come to Zion Baptist Church located at 1700 N. Caroline St.from 11am-2pm. In most cases, if a bed is available and the patient meets admission criteria, the patient can be directly admitted to the ITU. In some cases, the patient may be referred to East Baltimore Medical Center for evaluation of an acute medical problem. The ITU is available for Emergency Department referrals and referrals from Helping Up Mission and 911 Broadway as well.

NOTE: The ITU cannot hold beds for patients or guarantee admission.