To meet ongoing and increasing demand for high quality behavioral health services, Avera is expanding access to inpatient care at locations in Sioux Falls and Aberdeen.
In Sioux Falls, Avera Behavioral Health will finish space in the new Helmsley Behavioral Health Center, adding 16 beds for adult care. This project is being funded through grant dollars, including $2.1 million in federal appropriations through a non-competitive grant and $1.2 million through South Dakota Department of Social Services and American Rescue Plan Act dollars.
In Aberdeen, Avera will create a new 18-bed unit for adults, seniors and crisis stabilization for adolescents, in currently vacant space on the fourth floor of Avera St. Luke’s Hospital. This project has received a state grant from the South Dakota Department of Social Services and ARPA dollars of $2.4 million, and a lead gift of $1.5 million from Dacotah Bank.
Dr. David Ermer is the Clinical Vice President of the Avera Behavioral Health Service Line. He says timely care in a center that upholds values of dignity and respect in an environment that cares for the whole person – body, mind and spirit – can make all the difference for someone who is experiencing a mental health crisis.
Sioux Falls Expansion
Expansion in first-floor shell space as part of the recently constructed Helmsley Behavioral Health Center at the Avera Behavioral Health Hospital in Sioux Falls will create a new Adult A unit to be more tailored for care of the most acute patients, designed with safety and security in mind.
Adult A cares for patients with more serious mental health disorders. All will be single, private rooms, plus shared space for needs including laundry, dining and meeting rooms.
The existing Adult A unit will be remodeled for a new Adult D unit, which will have 18 beds for sub-acute care. These changes will allow for grouping of similar patients on adult units.
Thomas Otten, Vice President of Avera Behavioral Health Services, says creating specialized units allows for safer and more tailored care for all adults. He says it’s especially valuable for the most acute patients.
The project will bring Avera Behavioral Health Hospital to 162 beds, making it the fourth largest hospital in the state, yet one that is completely dedicated to behavioral health services. This project is expected to be complete in spring of 2025.
Aberdeen Expansion
Currently, Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen has 10 beds for inpatient behavioral health care. Creating a new unit will improve and expand upon that, with 18 private rooms, plus space for gym and activities as well as therapy groups. Avera St. Luke’s will continue to offer residential addiction care in its existing location in the hospital.
Dan Bjerknes, Regional President and CEO of Avera St. Luke’s Hospital, says they had previously planned the behavioral health expansion in a separate building. Following a critical evaluation of patient beds and Avera’s use of space that was completed after the COVID pandemic, he says they felt the best option was to remodel existing space. The new unit is expected to be completed in fall of 2024.
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