Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Inpatient Unit
The Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Inpatient Unit is brand new, and designed to provide expanded psychiatric care and mental health services for youth ages 5 to 17 years old.
Highlights of the $9.5 million investment include:
- 14,000 square feet of new construction
- 16 patient beds
- 1st psychiatry unit in Maryland that is architecturally and clinically designed for trauma-informed care
- Highly specialized, collaborative clinical programming and treatment
- Cutting-edge architectural design to maximize patient interactions
Innovative program and treatment space
Our collaborative team includes psychiatrists, psychologists, nurse practitioners, psychiatric nurses, occupational therapists, child life specialists, behavioral health associates, and psychiatry technicians for comprehensive, top-tier care.
We work within a trauma-informed framework to deliver patient- and family-centered treatment for a variety of mental health needs, such as:
- Mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder)
- Anxiety disorders (phobias, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, separation anxiety)
- Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
- Trauma disorders (PTSD, acute stress disorder, adjustment disorder)
- Psychotic spectrum disorders (schizophrenia, substance-induced psychotic disorder)
- Co-morbid neurodevelopmental disorders (high-functioning autism spectrum disorder, mild intellectual disability)
Advanced design with Inquiry Architecture and Design and BWBR Architects, Inc.
We toured and consulted with top children’s and behavioral health hospitals across the country to create a state-of-the-art interactive safe haven with Inquiry Architecture and Design and BWBR Architects, Inc.
On-stage and off-stage design
Our clinical programming directs the design of the unit, which we enhanced with an “on-stage” and “off-stage” design. From a health care perspective, on-stage designs are vital in maximizing doctor and patient interactions with more open treatment areas, as well as spaces for play and socialization.
Meanwhile, behind-the-scenes work like phone calls happen off-stage – or out of sight – so that our patients mainly see the humanistic, compassionate side of our team members.
Respite and healing
In addition to adhering to rigorous safety guidelines, we promote engagement in interactive activities and our space includes: wide corridors with built-in floor games, Lego wall for creativity, grooming stations, and a front porch design with group seating. Youth can also visit our sensory room and select from various lighting, sounds, and items like weighted blankets.
Each individual room offers a soothing music system that allows youth to select from nature sounds for relaxation, as well as features circadian lighting to maximize daytime energy and restful sleep. Additionally, specialized alcove seating is built into the walls to provide welcoming quiet spaces.
Coming soon – a movement room with fun exercise equipment.
Integrative floor plans
The unit is divided into two areas: a larger adolescent space with 10 private beds and bathrooms, and a smaller corridor with 6 beds for younger children. The adaptable design allows us to care for youth of all ages in one space, and cross-corridor doors expand or contract as needed.
A detailed eye for art
We carefully chose a nature theme to brighten our space, which includes a tree theme for our adolescent rooms and a sky theme for our younger patients. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) also partnered with the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts to work with local community artist Annie Howe, who created custom paper-cut murals with intricate, whimsical details.
Located in the heart of our community
The Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit is located within the University of Maryland Children’s Hospital at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) on 22 S. Greene Street in Baltimore.