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    SageWest Closes PineRidge Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit

    SageWest Health Care today announced that the PineRidge Behavioral Health Unit will close, effective February 28.

    “The decision to close PineRidge was not made lightly,” said Alan Daugherty, chief executive officer of SageWest Health Care. “There have been significant changes in regulations and accreditation standards for inpatient behavioral health units, including one-on-one patient observation staffing and physical plant requirements. These changes from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and The Joint Commission combined with national shortages in behavioral health providers and nurses have made it very difficult for us to maintain PineRidge’s operations in a compliant way.”

    SageWest’s Lander and Riverton hospitals will continue to see those with behavioral health needs in their emergency rooms, and are working with other providers in the region to ensure that patients who need inpatient behavioral health services can access them as close to home as possible.

    “Our first priority is to ensure that patients and their families have the care and support they need when and where they need it,” added Daugherty. “Anyone with a mental health crisis still may come to our emergency rooms just as they do today. We are collaborating with inpatient behavioral health units and partner organizations throughout the region so that we can connect patients to additional care and services they need long-term.”

    Those seeking behavioral health services should call 911 and go to the nearest emergency room for immediate care.

    Please call 332-4420 in Lander or 856-4161 in Riverton or visit www.sagewesthealthcare.com for more information.

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