Jefferson Cherry Hill (N.J.) Hospital, part of Philadelphia-based Jefferson Health, plans to open a 4,000-square-foot EmPATH unit to treat patients experiencing mental or behavioral health crises, according to an Oct. 10 report from Courier Post.
The facility, which will be built using $4 million in state funds, is expected to open in 2027. It will occupy office space adjacent to the hospital’s Chapel Avenue emergency department and focus on rapid assessment and stabilization, according to the report.
The EmPATH — short for emergency psychiatric assessment, treating and healing — model aims to reduce psychiatric boarding in emergency rooms by diverting patients to a separate space for short-term care. The facility is designed to serve eight to 10 patients daily, with most intakes discharged to community services within 24 hours.
Aaron Chang, president of Jefferson’s South Jersey operations, said the model will help patients “continue their care at home, instead of in a hospital.” Jefferson noted that nearly 20% of its emergency room patients present with mental or behavioral concerns, such as anxiety, trauma, substance use disorder or suicide risk.
