The 22-bed psychiatric services unit treats patients suffering from a range of psychiatric disorders
including anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, depression and schizophrenia. Tampa General Hospital
is one of only five licensed Baker Act receiving facilities in Hillsborough County. Patients are
stabilized through medications and therapies in a peaceful, controlled environment.
Patients in Tampa General’s psychiatric services unit are cared for by a multidisciplinary team
consisting of:
Psychiatrists
Psychiatric nurses
Mental health technicians
Social workers
Recreational therapists
Pharmacists
RNs and mental health technicians are on-staff 24-hours a day. All patients are assigned an internal
medicine physician to monitor their physical health and are also seen by a psychiatrist daily.
Patient Care
The psychiatric services unit at TGH provides crisis stabilization for patients with acute psychiatric
conditions. Our mental health professionals care for patients until they are well enough to return home
or until they can be placed in a long-term mental health facility.
Psychiatric patients admitted to TGH are given a mental status evaluation. After evaluation, patients
are stabilized and immediately begin individualized treatment programs that may include medications and
individual and group therapies.
Members of our pharmacy staff consult with patients about their medication plans and answer questions.
Patients work with mental health technicians to set daily goals and review progress each day.
As part of the treatment process patients participate in group and recreational therapy. Recreational
therapy activities such as karaoke, arts and crafts and therapeutic games help patients build coping
skills. Members of TGH’s Pastoral care staff are also available to patients who request visitation.
Before patients are discharged they meet with a social worker to develop an outpatient plan for
follow-up care.
