The Frawley Inpatient Psychiatric Unit at Good Samaritan Hospital Goes Smoke Free -- Decision reflects Good Samaritans role as an advocate for good health

The Frawley Inpatient Psychiatric Unit at Good Samaritan Hospital is proud to announce its decision to go smoke free, beginning September 7, 2004. The decision reflects the units role as an advocate for good health practices as well as the hospitals overall policy as a non-smoking institution.

August 16, 2004 -- The Frawley Inpatient Psychiatric Unit at Good Samaritan Hospital is proud to announce its decision to go smoke free, beginning September 7, 2004. The decision reflects the units role as an advocate for good health practices as well as the hospitals overall policy as a non-smoking institution.

A 19-bed inpatient unit designed to treat emotional and psychiatric disorders in adults and geriatric patients, the Frawley Inpatient Psychiatric Unit specializes in acute psychiatric symptoms including disorders such as depression, suicidal tendencies and psychosis. The Frawley multidisciplinary team includes highly trained and experienced psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, occupational therapists, social workers and others with specialties in geriatrics, substance abuse and dual diagnoses. The team works closely with the patient and family members to plan for treatment regimens, and to develop a discharge plan that may include referrals to other outpatient or inpatient programs, agencies or health care professionals. The Frawley unit is the last healthcare facility in Rockland County that allowed its patients to smoke throughout their treatment.

The entire staff as well as patients are very excited about this transition, said Katherine Zubiaurre, Nursing Supervisor for the Frawley Inpatient Psychiatric Unit at Good Samaritan Hospital. We are going to involve the patients as much as possible throughout the process, beginning with an indoor BBQ that will feature games and prizes, all of which will help convey the importance and value of smoking cessation. In addition, we have developed several educational, support and relaxation groups and will have smoking cessation aides readily available to both the patients and to our staff, concluded Zubiaurre.

Good Samaritan Hospital is part of the Bon Secours Charity Health System, which also includes St. Anthony Community Hospital in Warwick, NY and Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, NY. Additionally, Bon Secours Charity Health System provides the services of a Certified Home Health Agency, two long-term care facilities, an assisted living and adult home facility and several other medical programs. For more information about these or other services, contact Good Samaritan Hospital at 845-368-5000.

Media Contact: John Lonsdorf, R&J Group (973) 331-1070.
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