Community project funding/congressionally directed spending - construction - **abstract** this project proposes the renovation of the 2ND floor c-wing at ellis hospital, located in schenectady, new…

This $500,000 Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (CFDA 93.493 - Congressional Directives) will fund the renovation of the C2 mental health unit at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, New York. The project aims to address identified ligature and patient safety risks, allowing the hospital to reopen the secure unit, which has been closed since April 2021. The renovation scope includes improvements to ten patient rooms, a kitchen, dining room, therapy and treatment rooms, a secure nurses' station, staff offices, and other patient areas. This project will increase the hospital's mental health inpatient capacity from 18 to 20 private rooms, optimizing patient care and addressing staffing challenges. The renovation is scheduled to be completed between October 2024 and December 2025, with the unit anticipated to reopen in January 2026.

Community project funding/congressionally directed spending - construction - **abstract** this project proposes the renovation of the 2ND floor c-wing at ellis hospital, located in schenectady, new york. Specifically, the focus is on the C2 floor, a secure mental health unit that has been closed since april 2021 due to identified ligature and patient safety risks. The renovation aims to address these risks, allowing ellis hospital to reopen the unit to patient admissions. The scope includes improvements to ten patient rooms, a kitchen, dining room, therapy and treatment rooms, a secure nurses' station, staff offices, utility closets, an activity room, and a patient lounge. Currently, ellis hospital accommodates 18 adult inpatient mental health patients across units C2 and C3. Renovating C2 will increase capacity to 20 private rooms, optimizing patient care and addressing staffing challenges. The restructuring also supports specialized care approaches, with C3 focusing on acute cases and C2 concentrating on treating major depressive disorder, suicide ideation, and anxiety. Additionally, relocating ellis' electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) program near operating facilities enhances patient convenience. The project involves remediation of fixtures posing safety risks, such as soap dispensers, electrical sockets, and ceiling tiles. Construction will be managed internally by ellis medicine's facilities department, adhering to environmental product environmental assessment tool (epeat) or energy star® standards where feasible. Despite safety requirements, disposal of removed items will comply with environmental regulations. Scheduled between october 2024 and december 2025, with an anticipated reopening in january 2026, this renovation ensures improved patient safety, privacy, and satisfaction while enhancing operational efficiency in mental health care delivery at ellis hospital.