Ascension has closed the psychiatric observation unit at Via Christi St. Joseph Hospital in Wichita, Kan.
In a statement shared with Becker's Dec. 18, a spokesperson for the hospital said the unit was closed Dec. 15 and will remain closed for an indefinite period.
"We are taking this action because average lengths of stay cannot exceed 24 hours in a short-stay unit like the POU; unfortunately, due to the chronic shortage of inpatient behavioral health beds statewide we cannot ensure beds for POU patients within the intended 24-hour window," the spokesperson said.
Employees on the unit will be reassigned to other behavioral health areas, the spokesperson said.
Ascension Via Christi, part of St. Louis-based Ascension, has handled a disproportionate share of emergency and inpatient behavioral health needs in the area, the spokesperson said.
"Now, we must adhere to state licensure requirements on POUs and provide these services consistent with state regulations," the spokesperson said. "We will also continue to seek both essential financial support from state and local government and needed collaboration from other health systems that elect not to provide a robust set of services for mental and behavioral health patients."