Alegent Creighton Health Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF), located in Omaha, Nebraska, is designed to treat children and adolescents ages 6 - 17 with a psychiatric disorder. The program provides specialized medical, psychiatric, psychosocial and behavioral treatment services to assist youths and their families to gain skills that demonstrate a positive community adjustment. The programs, environment and activities of the treatment center are all focused on patient centered care.
The Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility serves youths who have a history of failure at less intensive treatment settings. While not needing the level of care an acute psychiatric hospital offers, they require supervision, a safe environment and specialized therapies. The PTRF is located on the campus of Alegent Creighton Health Immanuel Medical Center in northwest Omaha. The hospital is prepared to address any psychiatric and medical emergency. While the unit is locked to accommodate youths who may be a flight risk, off-unit activities are offered to those who earn them through exhibiting positive behavior.
An interdisciplinary team under the direction of the Medical Director provides youths with individualized treatment. Medications are managed by the Medical Director. Members of the treatment team include:
Medical Director
Psychiatric Registered Nurses
Licensed Practical Nurses
Licensed Mental Health Practitioners
Behavioral Science Technicians
Recreational Therapists
Team Lead
Operations Director
Professional support staff includes Pastoral Care, Pharmacy, Dietary Services and Music Therapy.
Our Road to Success
All youthsf are provided active treatment including: individual, group and family therapy, psycho-educational therapy; community meetings, therapeutic outings and passes.
The program utilizes a privilege-level economy system, which is based on cognitive and social learning theory. Youths are supervised and guided by staff in this skill building process. Upon entering the program all individuals are placed on a basic/evaluation level for their first two weeks. Youths can earn their way through three levels and ultimately to natural/logical consequences. Positive behaviors are rewarded according to the individual's treatment plan. Various rewards and activities are associated with each level.
Admission Criteria
An individual's IQ must be 70 or above to be considered for admission to the PRTF. Youth referred for services may display or be dealing with one or more of the following issues:
Failed alternative psychiatric treatments (i.e.: partial hospitalization, outpatient therapy intensive in-home family therapy; group home).
A disorder of mood or thought severe enough to cause disordered behavior, psychomotor agitation or retardation that interferes with the activities of daily living.
A history of suicide ideation/attempt demonstrating serious risk-taking and ineffective coping skills
Persistent (at least six months) patterns of disruptive behavior
Exhibiting disturbances in age-appropriate adaptive functioning and social problem solving
A physician order is required for admission to the Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility.
Family Education/Support
A child's behavioral or mental health problems affect significant others and all family members. Family therapy is an essential element of treatment for the child or adolescent. When family members are involved in treatment with the child, the rate of improvement in mental health is increased significantly.
The involvement of the family/legal guardian is critical in the treatment of youth. We believe that treatment of a youth should be provided within the context of his/her family whenever possible and both the family and youth need to be actively involved in the interdisciplinary treatment planning process.
The goals of family therapy include helping the family members/significant others better understand the child's problem, the stages of treatment and how family dynamics affect the child's prognosis. Issues of responsibility and accountability are explored and clarified.
Family therapy may involve married couples, parent-child relationships, extended family relationships and sibling relationships. Program staff may initiate family therapy following a care conference.
Referral Process
Referrals to the Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility can be made by sending clinical information, including psychological testing from the past year to the center for consideration. The treatment team will review the clinical information and determine if this is the correct form of treatment for the patient.
Discharge Planning/Transition
The Medical Director and interdisciplinary treatment team direct the discharge plan. Treatment review sessions are held minimally every 30 days and include participation by the treatment team, youth and parents/legal guardians. Towards the end of the youth's length of stay at the PRTF, there is a transitional time period. This transitional period gives the youth the opportunity to practice the positive coping skills he/she has learned during the treatment process. Our therapists help coordinate continuity of treatment by contacting those who will be providing therapy or treatment to the youth once they are discharged from the PTRF.
Insurance and Payment
Alegent Creighton Health Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility, a Joint Commission-accredited program is approved by the Nebraska state Medicaid program. Some private insurance policies may include the Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility as a covered benefit. Private pay is also accepted. Alegent Creighton Health works closely with insurance policy plans or parents to negotiate appropriate reimbursement.
Insurance and Payment
