Community project funding/congressionally directed spending - construction - bergen new bridge medical center, located at 230 e. Ridgewood avenue, paramus, NJ 07432, saw a steep increase in ED…

Community project funding/congressionally directed spending - construction - bergen new bridge medical center, located at 230 e. Ridgewood avenue, paramus, NJ 07432, saw a steep increase in ED volume during the covid crisis. In addition to the increased volume due to covid positive or symptomatic patients, there was also an increase in behavioral health patients. We were left with limited space to treat our most vulnerable population, those seeking care for behavioral or substance use disorders. The increasing medical volume coupled with the need to isolate covid-19, and other infectious patients from this vulnerable population is critical in ensuring health and well-being in the greater bergen county area. Bnbmc will be creating a new behavioral health ER with the total square footage of 22,704 SQ. FT. Included in the facility is a living room space, of approximately 484 square feet, which will be a community outreach program. The program will offer patients in a psychiatric crisis, an alternate to obtaining services in the ED. This entrance to this space will be near the ED's waiting area, a skylight will provide natural light, and there will be seating for up to 8 patients under staff supervision. Behavioral health emergency department will have 29 treatment rooms for psychiatric emergencies. Due to patients often being in an agitated condition, there will be one sink for every 4 rooms, located outside the rooms. This program is being directed by michael formenek. 201-370-9481