New UK/Eastern State Hospital emergency unit called first of its kind in Kentucky

University of Kentucky Healthcare is opening a new emergency behavioral health unit at Eastern State Hospital. Officials say EmPATH, which stands for emergency psychiatric assessment, treatment and healing, is the first of its kind in the state. Lindsey Jasinski, the chief administrative officer of Eastern State Hospital, said it will offer easy-to-access services for people in crisis.

“They can come in with a family member. They can get here themselves. EMS may need to be involved to bring them in, but they can come in, and it's meant to be very quick and easy access to behavioral health care. They're immediately seen by a behavioral health provider.”

Jasinski said the EmPATH unit offers a unique environment for an emergency treatment center.

“It has outdoor space. It has calming rooms. There's lots of spaces where folks can have quiet time and space to decompress. They get a recliner chair in a common area that allows us to continue to monitor folks for safety, but still have some privacy.”

Jasinski said those areas – and chairs – help patients decompress and relax. The UK-Eastern State EmPATH facility opens Tuesday at 7 p.m. on a 24-7 schedule.

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