Recovery Brands, LLC
📍 250 Arsenal Street, Augusta, ME 04332
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<p><strong>ABOUT RIVERVIEW PSYCHIATRIC CENTER</strong></p> <p>Riverview Psychiatric Center (RPC) is an acute care hospital operated by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. Opened in 2004 to replace the former Augusta Mental Health Institute, the hospital is one of <a href="https://wwwdasis.samhsa.gov/webt/state_data/ME17.pdf" target="_blank">19 (9.5 percent)</a> in the state that offers <strong>long-term inpatient and outpatient treatment</strong> for individuals struggling with mental illnesses, including and co-occurring substance use disorders. RPC treatment programs are <strong>designed to support patient comfort and self-determination within the recovery process</strong>. Voluntary, involuntary, and court-ordered patients are accepted, although at the time of this writing the hospital is developing a separate facility for individuals in the criminal justice system, making it one of <a href="https://wwwdasis.samhsa.gov/webt/state_data/ME17.pdf" target="_blank">50 (25.1 percent)</a> in Maine with this offering.</p> <p><strong>TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT</strong></p> <p>The Riverview Psychiatric Center website does not mention detoxification services, but one of the facility's units is designated for crisis stabilization. According to 2012 state data, the average length of inpatient care is 90 days.</p> <p>The facility makes a point of emphasizing its collaborative, non-coercive approach to treatment. RPC highlights <strong>partnerships both with patients and with outside community providers</strong> in planning for continuous care after discharge. Peer support specialists are involved throughout each patient's rehabilitation.</p> <p>While in the hospital, patients typically participate in five hours of daily therapies. Medical treatment, including medication management, is integrated with psychosocial education and therapy. <strong>More than 50 groups are designed around common patient needs and concerns</strong> such as nutrition, anger management, <a href="http://www.recovery.org/topics/dual-diagnosis-recovery/" target="_blank">dual diagnosis treatment</a>, relationships, trauma, decision-making, coping skills, vocational counseling, and money management. Additional <a href="http://www.recovery.org/forums/discussion/7265/what-is-holistic-treatment-and-how-can-it-help" target="_blank">holistic recovery activities</a> are offered, including music, art, religious education and counseling, physical exercise, and yoga.</p> <p>Outpatient programming incorporates some of the same individual and group therapies and frequently is utilized to support transition back into the community.</p> <p><strong>STAFF CREDENTIALS</strong></p> <p>The treatment team at Riverview Psychiatric Center includes licensed psychologists, psychiatrists, master's level licensed therapists, certified drug and alcohol counselors, nurse practitioners, and peer support specialists. According to the hospital's website, <strong>continuing education for the staff is a priority</strong> and medical staff members are active in academics. Doctoral clinical psychology internships are available and accredited.</p> <p><strong>ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES</strong></p> <p>Residents of the secured, 92-bed hospital have private rooms. Meals are served in a central dining room and snacks are available on each unit. <strong>Visiting hours are available daily and phone contact with loved ones is encouraged.</strong> Clients have access to the campus gym, basketball court, library, and hair salon. Long-term residents can participate in such leisure activities as <strong>bowling, a gardening club, games, and local outings</strong>. The RPC website also encourages client suggestions for additional activities. Riverview Psychiatric Center is a tobacco- and fragrance-free facility.</p> <p><strong>WHAT ALUMNI SAY</strong></p> <p>Rehabs.com has not yet received any feedback from former clients of Riverview Psychiatric Center and secondary site reviews are limited. On an unofficial Facebook page, <strong>six individuals rated the facility, offering a one-star average rating.</strong><small class="footnote"><a target="_blank" href="#footnote-1"><sup>[1]</sup></a></small> One former client compared the center to prison, and alum R.H. wrote, "your employees are vile and aggressive."</p> <p><strong>WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY</strong></p> <p>To date, the single loved one of an alum who has posted a review to Rehabs.com rated the facility four out of five stars for treatment effectiveness, five stars for meals, and only two stars for general accommodations. "Supportive, helpful for my relative," the anonymous loved one wrote.</p> <p><strong>WHAT STAFF SAY</strong></p> <p>The sole staff member surveyed by Rehabs.com to date gave the facility all two- and three-star ratings. This included three out of five stars for the effectiveness of treatment, affordability, cleanliness and upkeep of the facility, meals, and exercise and leisure options. Most metrics measuring specific aspects of treatment revealed dissatisfaction, including two stars each for the hospital's capacity to treat co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders, the staff's level of training and experience, and opportunities for family participation. Holistic therapy and options in counseling approaches - two areas presented as key on the RPC website - also received just two stars apiece. The staff member cited safety concerns as well.</p> <p>An average rating of 3.4 stars from 11 Indeed reviewers revealed split feelings regarding the facility's work environment.<small class="footnote"><a target="_blank" href="#footnote-2"><sup>[2]</sup></a></small> Two concurred with the Rehabs.com survey respondent's critical comments, one of whom reported having too-limited patient interaction. Another former staffer <strong>reported concerns with mistreatment of clients.</strong> On the other hand, several other reviewers, while acknowledging challenges inherent in the hospital setting, wrote positively about their work environment and expressed commitment to helping patients.</p> <p><strong>FINANCING</strong></p> <p>Medicaid and Medicare are accepted and a sliding fee scale available to cover costs.</p> <p><strong>CONCLUSION</strong></p> <p>Since 2013, Riverview Psychiatric Center has received extensive local news coverage related to <strong>ongoing problems with staff shortages, lack of separation between private and state-mandated patients</strong>, reports of overly restrictive or aggressive treatment of some patients, and insufficient tracking of treatment plans and progression. The hospital's website currently encourages individuals to submit confidential concerns and suggestions.</p> <p>An August 2015 <a href="http://www.pressherald.com/2015/08/13/federal-judge-rules-against-dhhs-in-riverview-case/" target="_blank">Portland Press Herald story reported</a> that a review of RPC <strong>following loss of federal certification and funding indicated the hospital was "acting in good faith" to address cited problems</strong>. In August of 2017, the <a href="http://mainepublic.org/post/builder-chosen-privatized-forensic-psychiatric-facility-bangor" target="_blank">AP reported on plans</a> to separate out criminal patients in a new facility, addressing staff safety concerns, including those cited in a former employee's lawsuit. Increased treatment staff hiring and several upper management changes are among the steps being taken by the hospital, according to the AP article. Riverview maintains <a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/" target="_blank">Joint Commission</a> accreditation.</p> <p><small class="footnote"><a target="_blank" href="#footnote-1"><sup>[1]</sup></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Riverview-Psychiatric-Center/107843585938157" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Riverview-Psychiatric-Center/107843585938157</a></small><br /> <small class="footnote"><a target="_blank" href="#footnote-2"><sup>[2]</sup></a> <a href="https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Riverview-Psychiatric-Center/reviews" target="_blank">https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Riverview-Psychiatric-Center/reviews</a></small></p>
— Samantha Harper · 2018-12-26 11:54:39 PST
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