Children’s Mercy launches partial hospitalization for youth with complex health needs
Children’s Mercy Hospital Kansas
Overland Park, Kan.
Children’s Mercy has announced the opening of its new Partial Hospitalization Program to support children and adolescents facing serious medical and mental health challenges. The program bridges the gap between inpatient and outpatient care, offering intensive, day-long treatment for youth who need more support than traditional outpatient services but do not require overnight hospitalization. Patients receive care during the day and return home each evening, allowing them to maintain the comfort and stability of their home environment while receiving comprehensive treatment.
Partial hospitalization provides several hours of therapeutic services each weekday, typically for up to 30 days. Children’s Mercy’s PHP will serve youth age 6 to 17 with a wide range of medical, psychological and neurodevelopmental conditions — including cancer, diabetes, autism and neurological disorders. A multidisciplinary team will deliver evidence-based care, including psychiatric consultations, therapy (individual, group, and family), educational support, nutrition guidance and discharge planning.
Rebecca Johnson, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and division director for developmental and behavioral health, emphasized the importance of the program in addressing a critical gap in care. “Children and adolescents with serious medical conditions or complex medical needs often have limited options when stepped-up care is required,” she said. “Our goal is to address a significant health inequity in our community and create a continuum of care for kids who have both physical and behavioral health needs.”