Bridges: Clinical Team Explained

Medical Director/Physician

  • Approves your admission based on criteria for geropsychiatric hospitalization.
  • Coordinates your psychiatric program of care with the treatment team.
  • Consults with medical specialists, as necessary.
  • Provides comprehensive psychiatric assessment, prescribes and adjusts medications, monitors response to medications and treatment.
  • Attends the weekly team conference to monitor your status and need for continued services.

Nurse Liaison

  • Performs a pre-admission assessment.
  • Presents your information to the medical director for admission approval.
  • Answers any questions you may have prior to admission.
  • Coordinates your admission to Bridges.

Social Worker

  • Functions as your link with the geropsychiatric staff.
  • Assists the patient and family with discharge planning.
  • Provides patient and family counseling.
  • Assists the patient and family with their adjustment to illness/hospitalization.

Geropsychiatric Nursing Team (RN, LPN, MHT)

  • Orients you to the psychiatric program.
  • Provides 24-hour nursing care.
  • Provides instruction to you and your family.
  • Attends team conferences and keeps you and your family informed.
  • Participates with your social worker in planning your discharge and assists you and your family through the transition at discharge.

Registered Dietitian

  • Evaluates your nutritional needs.
  • Provides nutritional counseling.
  • Attends team conference and makes recommendations for dietary adjustments.

Pharmacist

  • Dispenses and monitors medications, evaluates drug interactions.
  • Attends team conference and makes recommendations for medication adjustments.
  • Performs medication reconciliation from pre-admission through discharge.

Consulting Physicians

  • Available as needed to provide specialized medical oversight during hospitalization.

Physical Therapist / Occupational Therapist / Speech Language Pathologist

  • Performs patient assessments and treatment per physician's orders and evaluation results.
  • Consults at weekly team conference as needed.