Crisis Stabilization
Immediate Help, Immediate Care
The Crisis Stabilization Unit is a secure, inpatient psychiatric unit that provides short-term hospital stays for adults and adolescents (ages 13 and older) who are at risk to themselves or others, or who are unable to care for themselves. The physicians, nurses and staff of the Crisis Stabilization Unit at Central DuPage Hospital (CDH) know that people who face critical life challenges may need immediate attention from skilled professionals who care about individual needs. Patients receive care from mental health professionals, including psychiatrists on the medical staff of CDH, psychiatric nurses, licensed therapists and counselors. This team of specialists works with patients and families to make an accurate psychiatric diagnosis and to determine goals for treatment. Their clinical skills and compassion lead to the development of treatment and discharge plans that provide optimum mental health care and support for every patient and family.
Comprehensive Treatment, Successful Outcomes
When patients are admitted to the Crisis Stabilization Unit, they may need medication to stabilize symptoms associated with a psychiatric episode or illness. Following stabilization, the care team will develop a diagnosis and a treatment plan that may include:
- Individual therapy
- Family therapy
- Group therapy
- Expressive therapy
- Patient education
- Medication monitoring and supervision
- Neuromodulation services: electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
- Follow-up services in schools and/or the community
Length of Stay
The average length of stay on the Crisis Stabilization Unit is three to six days. Time on the unit varies, depending on diagnosis, and response to treatment. Upon discharge from the Crisis Stabilization Unit, many patients continue their mental health recovery through the Adult or Adolescent Partial Hospital Program, a full-day outpatient program at the Behavioral Health Center building on the hospital campus.
Visitors on the Unit
- Patients may have up to two visitors age 13 or older at one time.
- No one younger than 13 is allowed on the unit.
- Only immediate family may visit adolescent patients.
- Lockers are provided for visitor’s personal items.
Our utmost concern is to provide and maintain a safe and healing environment. For that reason, there are restrictions on items brought to the unit. All visitors must respect the restriction list.
Our Pledge to Our Patients
Our goal is to provide excellent care and to help patients and families return to a state of well-being as soon as possible. We pledge:
- To treat you with the utmost respect, dignity, discretion and compassion.
- To keep you informed of the treatment process.
- To recognize your feelings about sharing the sensitive, difficult information needed to assist you out of your crisis and into recovery.
- To treat you as an individual with specific needs and unique problems.
Patient Rights and Privacy
The patient rights brochure is included in the patient admission packet. The psychiatric Crisis Stabilization Unit adheres to federal and state confidentiality laws. Information will not be released to anyone – including insurance, friends and family – without signed authorization
Declaration for Mental Health Treatment
The declaration for mental health treatment is a legal document that appoints a family member or friend as an attorney-in-fact. This person may then make decisions for patients’ mental health issues regarding admission, medications and therapies. Ask any staff member for a copy of the form.
Necessary Disclosure
The Illinois Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code requires all psychiatric units to report names and demographic information of patients admitted to their facilities to the Illinois Department of Human Services. Reports are maintained confidentially and used as a cross-reference against names of persons who currently have Illinois firearm owners identification cards or who may apply for one in the future.
Help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In the event of an immediate psychiatric crisis, please go to the Central DuPage Hospital (CDH) Emergency Department for an assessment. For information or to schedule a confidential evaluation, call 630.933.4000. TTY for the hearing impaired 630.933.4833.
Locations