A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO

Developments around the COVID-19 pandemic continue to evolve, and we remain committed to keeping you up to date on all that Meadows Behavioral Healthcare is doing to follow the latest Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for maintaining staff and patient safety.

We already had stringent infection control practices in place, and we have implemented additional measures in the past months to reduce the risk of infection. These include patient pre-screening with FDA-authorized rapid antigen tests prior to admission and during the first two weeks of treatment, an enhanced deep-cleaning regimen, ongoing patient screenings, the use of face masks indoors by both patients and staff throughout treatment, ongoing symptom monitoring, decreased group gathering sizes, and the implementations of online options for some outpatient treatment, workshops, and family programming.

As a behavioral healthcare institution, we have remained operational throughout this global health crisis, continuing to provide these necessary services in the safest manner possible. Now, as mandated shutdowns and safer-at-home recommendations are eased, we are seeing an increased need for mental health and addiction treatment. Several surveys, including those collected by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), have shown substantial increases in self-reported behavioral health symptoms, with rates nearly double what we would have expected before the pandemic. Nearly half of Americans reported the coronavirus crisis is harming their mental health, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll.

Statistics like that make us more committed than ever to our goal of offering unparalleled care. For more information on all we are doing, you can read a message from our chief medical officer, and you can always find the latest programming modifications on this page. The safety of our staff and patients is always our highest priority. Thank you for putting your trust in us!

S. Walsh
Sean Walsh, CEO
Meadows Behavioral Healthcare

COVID-19 Response: An Update From Our Chief Medical Officer

August 2021: An update on what we are doing at Meadows Behavioral Healthcare to continue offering lifesaving treatment in the face of an ongoing global pandemic.

Enhanced Procedures & Programming Modifications

Patient Pre-Screening – During our intake process, all patients answer an in-depth set of COVID-19 Screening Questions to identify any risk factors. Potential patients who are vaccinated will be asked to provide proof of vaccination to admissions coordinators. Potential patients with recent COVID-19 infection or recent exposure to a person with COVID-19 will be required to quarantine, according to CDC recommendations, prior to admitting. We strongly recommend that all potential patients follow COVID-19-related safety measures when traveling to treatment. Once potential patients arrive at the treatment center, they will be administered a COVID-19 rapid antigen test prior to admission and results will be available within 15 minutes. Potential patients who test positive for COVID-19 will be invited to quarantine outside the treatment facility. If that is not possible, all attempts will be made to quarantine potential patients in an isolated room within the treatment facility.

Ongoing Patient Screening – Once admitted, new patients will be administered three additional COVID-19 rapid antigen tests within the first two weeks of treatment. All patients are required to wear a mask while indoors in public areas for the duration of their treatment and to follow recommended hygienic practices. Patients who would like to receive a COVID-19 vaccination during treatment will be supported to do so. Employees have received extensive education and training regarding infectious disease transmission and treatment and are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated, practice all safety precautions, and avoid coming to work if they had a possible exposure or if they are not feeling well.

Visitation/Family Programming – We have temporarily suspended in-person visits and all in-person family programming. While we know the value and importance of family treatment in our programs, we acknowledge we have less ability to screen family members and mitigate the potential health risk they present. We are currently offering a variety of educational material by email and telephonic/virtual family treatment experiences to enable family members to participate in their loved ones’ recovery.

Our Facilities – In addition to following all CDC and WHO guidelines and infectious disease protocols, we are enhancing our maintenance and deep-cleaning regimens.

Decreased Group Gatherings – A large percentage of our treatment interventions and modalities already happen in groups of less than 10, but we have modified programming elements that traditionally congregate larger groups of patients.

Face Masks – All patients are required to wear a face mask throughout the entire course of treatment when indoors in public areas.

Social Distancing – We educate and promote opportunities to practice social distance in all relevant areas, including common areas and dining halls. We also make sure to provide adequate spacing and allow for empty seats and spacing our group rooms chairs.

Staff/Patient Hygiene – Our staff follow proper hand hygiene protocols at all times, wear masks while indoors in public areas, and closely monitor any potential exposures and symptoms. We proactively continue to educate staff and patients on CDC guidelines to ensure the highest level of safety.

Outpatient Programs – Outpatient treatment still falls under “essential healthcare business” and we are applying all the same safety measures described above for our outpatient treatment centers, including weekly testing for staff and patients with COVID-19 rapid antigen tests. Additionally, we have developed a variety of virtual outpatient services that can be effectively delivered to those ordered to shelter in place or who prefer to participate using a virtual option during this pandemic.

Company Updates

Inpatient Treatment Programs Are Open

The current uncertain circumstances of life can put those already at risk for mental health and addiction issues at even greater risk of dysfunctional behaviors. We recognize that these individuals and their loved ones need us now more than ever. That’s why all our specialized inpatient treatment programs are open and accepting patients — while taking every necessary precaution to ensure the safety of patients and staff. For those struggling with substance use disorders, trauma, eating disorders, and related mental health conditions, the safest place to be is in treatment.

Rapid Antigen Tests

We use an FDA/CDC-authorized rapid antigen test to screen all patients for COVID-19 prior to admission and we administer three additional rapid antigen tests during the first two weeks of treatment to quickly catch any false negative results. For our workshop participants at Rio Retreat Center, we administer rapid antigen testing to all participants upon arrival regardless of vaccination status.

Outpatient Treatment Open and Virtual IOP Options Available

Our outpatient centers in Scottsdale, Silicon Valley, and Dallas are fully staffed and accepting patients, with strict precautions being taken to ensure the health of patients and staff. We are also offering our Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program, MBH Connect, in the states of Arizona, California, Texas, Florida, and Colorado for patients who prefer or need to participate in treatment remotely.

Current health precautions include:

Every staff member and patient must wash their hands immediately upon arrival
Hand sanitizer and Clorox wipes are used regularly before and after activities
Pens are wiped down before and after use
All patients will have their temperature taken every time they arrive at the center
Any employees with a fever or symptoms of illness will be sent home
All patients are screened using the CDC screening questions
Doors are left open to avoid touching doorknobs or handles
Employees are allowed to work from home as much as possible (charting, etc.)
Everyone is asked to maintain the recommended distance of six feet apart
Masks are mandatory indoors in public areas for all staff, patients, and visitors
No physical touching is allowed
Outside 12-Step meetings of over 10 attendees are discouraged

Vaccinations and Employment at MBH

We strongly encourage all our employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine and provide financial incentives to employees who choose to get vaccinated. In states where healthcare workers are required to be vaccinated, we are always in compliance with those state mandates (exemptions are allowed for medical or religious reasons with approval).

Traveling for Treatment

Once the difficult decision to seek treatment has been made, we never want getting to treatment to be an obstacle. Meadows Behavioral Healthcare can help solve transportation issues and find a solution for a safe transition to treatment. This includes assistance with ground transportation from most states as well as air transportation companionship with our staff and community partners. Call our Intake Team for more information at 800-244-4949.

For Alumni

In these uncertain times, staying connected to support systems and recovery groups is more important than ever. For our alumni, we have transitioned to conducting our Recovery Enhancement Group via Zoom online meetings. We have also launched our new alumni app, MBH Onward, that provides online resources, community, and connection at your fingertips 24-7.

For Families

We recognize that families are an important part of the healing and recovery process for those in treatment. The Meadows Behavioral Healthcare family of inpatient treatment programs have implemented a variety of email-based education, telephonic, and virtual telehealth family treatment experiences for our family members to engage them in their loved ones’ recovery while maintaining health and safety standards.