My child is under the age of 8, how do I get them psychiatric services?
Youth under the age of 8 are not admitted to the Nyman unit. For those youth, please contact the Rachel UpJohn Building at 734-764-0231 to pursue a potential appointment with our Infant and Early Childhood Clinic.
How long will my child be admitted to the Nyman inpatient unit?
Length of stay is based on each patient’s individual needs, which can vary significantly depending on safety concerns, the ability to provide safe referral in the community, as well as the particular psychiatric, psychological, developmental and physical needs of the child. An average hospitalization can be 7-10 days in duration with some stays being shorter or longer. Safety is an important factor in this decision.
What items should I bring for my child during their Nyman inpatient psychiatric unit stay?
It is a good idea to bring items that will make your child comfortable, such as personal pictures, stuffed animals and blankets. You should also provide 3-4 changes of clothing as well as personal care items. Please bring all items to the front desk for a staff member to check in before giving anything to your child. Be mindful that on a psychiatric care unit, we need to ensure a safe and therapeutic environment so some items may be restricted to promote safety. For a full list, visit the What to Expect page.
What items are not allowed on the Nyman inpatient psychiatric unit?
For reasons of privacy and safety, a number of items are prohibited from the unit. Before giving any item to your child, please bring it to the front desk and have a staff member check it in. After items are checked, a staff member will give them to your child. Please leave valuables (i.e., jewelry, large sums of money) at home. The hospital may not assume responsibility for valuables that are lost or misplaced. If you must bring any of these items, we ask that you place them in the hospital safe for the duration of your stay. Credit cards should be secured on your person at all times. Please do not bring belts, anything with a cord, including clothing with a drawstring and headphones, or anything made of glass. Sharp items of any kind are not allowed.
Who can visit my child?
For privacy of the patients on the unit, we do not allow friends on the unit, and we recommend that family presence on the unit include immediate family only. Siblings under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. At the time of admission, you will work with your child’s nurse to determine who will be allowed to visit on the unit. Please see the Family Presence and Visitation section on the What to Expect page for more details.
What is the standard approach to supporting safety and supervision on the inpatient psychiatry unit?
A staff member is assigned to check on patients every 15 minutes throughout the day, 24/7. Patients who are unable to keep themselves safe or who pose an immediate risk to others will be monitored on a one-on-one basis. All items brought onto the unit must be checked by a staff member before they may be shared with your child. Please give any items to the clerk upon entering the unit. We will also talk with you about important measures to take at home to make it a safer environment for your child after discharge.
Is the unit locked?
Yes. All doors to enter the unit are kept locked at all times. When you arrive to visit your child, please ring the bell at the entrance and a staff member will open the door for you. As a measure to ensure safety and privacy on the inpatient psychiatry unit, the unit is locked to make certain that those who need to be present on the unit continue to remain on the unit, while those that are not allowed on the unit are not provided ready access to the unit
How many patients can be admitted to the inpatient psychiatry unit?
Our unit can admit up to 16 patients at a time, ranging in age typically from 8 to 17 years of age.
Will my child have a private room on the inpatient psychiatry unit?
The unit has both single patient and double patient rooms. We do our best to pair patients by age and level of functioning. Due to the unique circumstances of the youth we serve, we cannot assure that your child will have a single patient room and may be expected to have a double patient room where they will share the room with a roommate.
How do I arrange to speak to my child’s psychiatrist directly?
You can reach your child’s psychiatrist by calling the nursing station at 734-936-5533. If your child’s doctor is unavailable, you can leave a message with the clerk and the doctor will promptly get back with you. Please remember, staff at the nursing station are available to speak with you 24 hours a day.
Can my child wash clothing on the inpatient psychiatry unit?
Yes. A washer and dryer are on the unit for patient use. If your child has sensitive skin, or a particular allergy, we ask that you bring in your own detergent and discuss the concern with our staff early in their stay.
What if my child has additional special needs that are important to share during their inpatient psychiatric stay?
We coordinate with the healthcare providers responsible for your child’s specialty and routine medical care to ensure that necessary services and attention are provided while your child is on the unit. We can also consult the expertise of the network of specialists throughout U-M Health as needed. Our care team always welcomes input from families about any special needs that your child may have so we may consider these needs as part of treatment planning and their care experience on the inpatient psychiatry unit.