They told me to get on a plane the very next day. I think it depends on what their bed availability/staffing looks like. Once I accepted admission they provided more details. However, I would still proceed with caution and have everything that is said/told to you documented in writing. It is very scary; however, if you’re in a place where medical stabilization is necessary – they are the place to go. I hope that helps answer your question!
Acut reviews
The ACUTE Center for Eating Disorders at Denver Health is a specialized eating disorders medical stabilization unit that treats people of all genders, aged 15 and up.
ACUTE provides medical care to patients whose eating disorders or whose medical complications are too severe to be treated at a traditional inpatient or residential treatment. Although it is at a hospital located in Denver, people come from all over the country. Patients for whom air travel is dangerous can fly via an air ambulance such as Angel Flight.
If you’ve heard of the Torrance Memorial Eating Disorders medical unit in California, this is a similar program.
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Article Comments
RileyJ
My mother called and spoke with ACUTE today because I am literally in dire straits. She was told they will not work with Medicaid, nor will they attempt a Single Case Agreement. I am shocked and it still won’t compute in my head. Access to treatment is so abysmal. No clue where to go from here.
Just wanted to let everyone know their most up-to-date info. because everything I have read up until that phone call said they DO participate with Medicaid.
Nikki
They actually say right on their website they don’t. I’m sorry. I haven’t been following closely so I’m probably not helpful
Take care
RileyJ
Thanks, and I must be missing it, but I don’t see anywhere on their site that says this?
Rachel, EDTR
Thank you Nikki!
RileyJ – Here are some inpatient places that take their state’s Medicaid, and that also triage admissions. So if someone is close to death (as it sounds you are) they will bump you to the head of the wait list or that have medical hospitals associated with them so that you could stabilize there first before admitting to a unit if needed:
– Rogers Memorial in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin (associated hospital is Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital). 24/7 number: (800) 767-4411
– Melrose Center in Minneapolis Minnesota (associated hospital is Methodist Hospital). Not sure if you would need to admit through the ER though to bypass waitlist? 952-993-6200
– Center for Change in Utah (I can’t remember what their associated hospital is). 888-224-8250 (I believe this is a
24/7 number)
– Robert Wood Johnson in New Jersey (associated hospital is Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset). They make exceptions to their waitlist when someone is transferring from a medical floor either there or at another hospital. 800-300-0628
– AMITA Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health hospital in Hoffman Estates, IL (associated hospital is on the same campus). 24/7 number: (847) 252-4081
– the Outlook at Westchester in New York City (associated hospital is NY Presbyterian). 24/7 number: 1.888.694.5700
Don’t give up. You got this. Okay?
RileyJ
Thank you, Rachel, that’s actually incredibly helpful. Doctors are suggesting immediate medical intervention or my family can start making arrangements for you know what.
ACUTE gave us a similar list, but out of 20 suggestions, there are only 5 that are even a remote possibility. Adult male, here.
I will exhaust this list and see what happens.
at least go to ER for ng tube
Rachel, EDTR
I agree with iris, RileyJ! And honestly, once you are in an ER or on a medical floor of a hospital, even if it is one that is not equipped for EDs, it becomes much easier for you to then transfer to an ED program. This is because you are able to do a facility-to-facility (or doctor-to-doctor) transfer arranged directly by the ER’s or medical floor doctor with whatever facility they can find that can take you the soonest.
RileyJ
Thanks, Iris and Rachel! I was actually in the ER yesterday, but my labs and EKG came back “fine” so they had no reason to keep me and discharged me. They just threw some potassium at me and let me leave.
Currently working with my doctor and therapist to figure something out and I have Rachel’s list I’m going through.
Your support and suggestions mean a lot <3
Have ng tube for nourishment while someplace can accept you. Do not worry about refeeding syndrome. Even very malnourished patients started with 1100 cal/day did not get refeeding syndrome in a new study from europe. They can increase the calories 300 /day every three days.
how are you riley
Nikki
Does Melrose bypass their waitlist? They aren’t doing intakes until June. Not interested just curious
Rachel, EDTR
When you are already hospitalized for medical instability at a Park Nicollet hospital, they do yes.
any experiences with being a international patient do I need to get my lawyer involved from the get go re not getting cert
If I admit to ACUTE with a plan already in place to step down to a PHP (EDCare Denver) that has agreed to admit me once I medically stabilize, does anyone with experience think that that plan would be honored? The PHP coordinator promised she would vouch for me, and I have been to ACUTE once before and am in the process of readmitting, but I’m nervous about being coerced into going to residential once I’ve already essentially signed over my rights
I would proceed with EXTREME caution. I was promised a lateral transfer to residential in my home state, but that was quickly changed.
I did this recently. Just be adamant that is where you are willing to go. Be 100% compliant at acute though and accept you may need to be at acute longer as EDcare won’t accept as low of weights.
Thank you for this reply, this is a relief to hear! I have never had trouble with compliance in a treatment setting, so I’m trying to stay optimistically cautious because the EDCare coordinator really seems like she has my back with this, but I also know how insistent ACUTE can be about res. I’m glad at least one person has been succesful with this kind of transfer.
any experiences with being a international patient do I need to get my lawyer involved from the get go re not getting cert
Heather
I was certified to ERC in Denver despite coordinating at placement prior to admission, which ACUTE knew of as well.
I was absolutely 100% compliant, volunteered for their research protocols, and still became a victim to their mercy by this unexpected transfer.
I ranted and raved about the program until this day:
On a Monday morning, several staff burst into my room packing my belongings to transfer me under certification while informing me security was outside the door.
I even had MH specifically addressed in my HCPOA.
Definitely proceed with caution. Good luck.
What is MH, HCPOA
Heather
MH – mental health
HCPOA – health care power of attorney
Shannon
Has anyone ever discharged home from ACUTE? Also, do people experience insurance cuts at acute like they do in general residential inpatient facilities?
Anonymous
I’m sure it has happened, but chances are very very slim they’ll let you.
In regards to insurance, ACUTE is billed under your medical benefit for medical issues…it seems like insurance cuts less, as the criteria is more objective than the [somewhat] subjective criteria for behavioral health benefits.
Heather
I was discharged to straight to home. However, my treatment team was supporting a harm reduction approach and thus I went in knowing I would not be going to IP or Res. It is unlikely to have insurance cut out if you medically need to be there. They only do medical stabilization, so once a patient is no longer medically in danger, they are discharged. It is way more clear cut for insurance than treatment focused on behaviors, getting to a healthier weight, and therapy.
Would you be willing to talk to me off this (email) about the harm reduction and going to acute?
Heather
Yes, I would – if you want to post it here and then I think Rachel can redact it I will reach out.
Rachel, EDTR
Yep I will! Thanks Heather! You beat me to saying it, appreciated 🙂
Anonymous
Thank you for letting me know. I was wondering if you are glad you went and you felt like it was worth it.
Heather
Looking back now that I am in a better space, I do think it was worth it. It saved me from a pretty medically compromised state and I had been in inpatient and residential a lot and needed a break, but also wasn’t ready for palliative care. Months later I did make the decision to go back to inpatient, but were it not for ACUTE I may not have made it that long with my refusal to enter another inpatient or residential program.
RileyJ
Hi there, I am very interested to know more about your experience with the Harm Reduction model and ACUTE. Would you be willing to converse with me, off-site, as well?
Heather
Hello RileyJ, sure thing, post your email and I can contact you!
Rachel, EDTR
RileyJ
Anonymous
Hi,
I was recently adminstratively discharged from residential due to medical instability and inability to complete 100% of the meal plan and hydration plan. I need a place that can do NG tubes and IV’s and have applied to ACUTE, but I am having a hard time hearing back from them about whether or not I can get on the waitlist.
Is anyone else having a hard time getting a response from them? Are they just super back logged with severe cases right now?
Danielle
I recently spent five weeks at Denver Acute, and I am truly bowled over by the unflagging dedication, kindness, and professionalism of the entire team – from the cleaning staff to the medical directors and everyone in between. Every day I was there, I saw this staff going above and beyond to create a safe and loving environment for their patients, and doing so with tremendous grace, humor, and generosity of spirit. I benefitted greatly from all of the interventions offered by this truly gifted team: medical care, psychotherapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medication management, nutrition counseling, discharge planning, nursing, and 24-hour support from the hardworking staff of certified nursing assistants (CNAs). Not only did this program save my life, but, at every step, I felt invited and encouraged to see myself as part of the team fighting for my survival. I left feeling empowered to take responsibility for my recovery and better prepared than ever to take on the challenges and responsibilities of residential treatment
I know a lot of people seek out reviews before deciding how to plan their treatment, and although I’ve never contributed to a site like this before, my life-changing experience at Acute compelled to add my enthusiastic and heartfelt praise to mix of voices represented here. I have struggled with an eating disorder for 25 years and have never felt so grateful for the treatment I’ve received as I do now. If you are at a point where this level of care is necessary, please know that this program will provide not just unmatched medical and nutritional rehabilitation, but nourishment for your soul as well.
how long was the wait for ACUTE once you were clinically accepted? They accepted me today but I can’t get a read on if I should be prepared to leave in, say two days or two weeks. They have not been very clear and I am very anxious and just generally scared about what to expect. Any tips about going there in general would also be appreciated! the reviews seem mixed and I am just…out of sorts as one can imagine
Anonymous
They told me to get on a plane the very next day. I think it depends on what their bed availability/staffing looks like. Once I accepted admission they provided more details. However, I would still proceed with caution and have everything that is said/told to you documented in writing. It is very scary; however, if you’re in a place where medical stabilization is necessary – they are the place to go. I hope that helps answer your question!
Anonymous
Thank you for your response! I am clinically cleared to go by the physicians with ACUTE just finalizing one insurance detail, which makes me wonder if I’m going to be hopping on a plane by the end of the week…its definitely anxiety provoking! But you’re right–it sounds like it is the place to be for my medical stabilization which is helping even out my nerves. Do you have any insight to how menu selection works (i.e., do you plan once admitted, pre-admission, is there a large variety of options?) I hope I’m not inundating you with too many questions, I’m just a bit antsy! Thanks for all that you have already provided me by way of info, it is much appreciated.
Menu planning really depends on who your dietitian is! I didn’t do anything pre-admission though. I’ve been to ACUTE twice and the first day is basically a pb sandwich with strawberries, nutrigrain bar, granola bar. The first time I went I had A and she basically let me plan whatever I wanted (like cereal at meals, plain turkey lunch meat without bread). The second time I had S and she was much stricter and made me plan more normal meals (actual sandwiches). They still really do try to work with you and give you lots of options. They have meal plan sheets they give you with the options for that day but it’s not set in stone. I was able to change it a lot. I can post more about if I can find some in my folder it if you’d like
Anonymous
I’d also love to hear about the higher level snack categories if you have info–when I do refeeding I tend to become hypermetabolic and I’d love to see what kinds of combinations they may have. I really really appreciate your willingness to share!
my friend arrived yesterday after waiting a week and a half. Another acquaintance was told there’s currently a two week wait. I think you have at least a bit to wait. They normally don’t give a lot of lead time for you to travel, but you usually get at least a day or two of notice.
Don’t be scared. It’s a great place with really kind people. It’s hard, but so is being really sick <3
I’ve been to ACUTE twice and the first time I waited about a week and the second time I waited 2 days
Anonymous
Quick update in case anyone else is curious: the waitlist has now shortened and the wait time is less than 1-2 weeks currently! [just in case anyone is looking for the same information I was–but of course this is always subject to change 🙂 ]
Cassie
I was at Denver ACUTE for 5 weeks. It’s their way or their way, honestly. I did life flight there very late evening and was transferred from the plane to ambulance to acute. I was greeted by a lot of people and the dr immediately met with me. They did vitals, height, weight, labs, general history of the ed, and discussed behaviors. When labs came in I was started on iv potassium, magnesium, sodium etc. I was also on oxygen. They gave me a warmer to put under the covers that blew warm air bc I was so cold. The next day I met the dietician, physical and occupational therapists, psychologist, psychiatrist, and md. I had a 24/7 cna. Meals were do your best the first day. They asked if I would accept a tube and felt it would be helpful. I did bc I was scared of being held against will. We did straight tube feeds. Then slowly added in snacks. When I didn’t complete 100% of snacks we went two days of straight tube feeds. After I adjusted to oral snacks we added one meal a couple days at a time. I came off the tube at the end of week 4 in order to prepare for residential. You are allowed to take supplement if you don’t finish or want your meal without penality. You have 45 mins for a meal & 30 mins for a snack. They allow vegetarians. I was never certified like people say happens, but I didn’t fight them. I had a few moments. I was put on suicide watch and everything taken from my room bc I said I wanted to die when upset. I came off of it the next day. They did restrain me to the bed with two restrains to put the tube and bridle on bc I couldn’t be still. They took it as fighting against them. Which I wasn’t. I was left restrained for about an hour till X-ray came. I never manipulated the tube. There’s a large range of food choices. They’re super open. They only serve zero calorie drinks. You can have one caffeinated beverage a day. They will put it in a separate cup though. What I didn’t eat was done in liquid tube feeds. The staff are very nice but firm. The cnas will tell on you for everything. When strong enough you’ll be allowed to walk 2 laps around the nurses stations 3 times a day. I had to wear a safety belt that the cna held for quite some time as a fall risk. I had to take bed baths for about a week the progressed to sitting shower baths. Then a week later could stand to shower. Your weighed every morning after using the bathroom and wear only a paper gown. Vitals are done. I had blood sugar checked every 4 hrs but eventually decreased then to none. There is an activity closet with things to occupy your time with. You will meet with providers every day. They are heavy on the meds. They push anti-anxiety and depression meds heavily. Overall, I felt cared for and in good hands. I don’t regret it at all. Once cleared you’ll be allowed wheelchair ride outside 2x a day. You will have physical and occupational therapy most likely. Their the ones who say if you’re a fall risk or not. I came in with congestive heart failure and had to wear a heart monitor most of my stay. The staff were on top of everything. I felt very safe and cared for there.
Sarrr
hi! can you build your own sandwhich with hummus? what types of cookies, granola bars, ice cream etc… is there (one hospital had haagen daz, bobos bars, larabars or is it the typical brands like oreos and nature valley etc)? is there sunbutter or almond butter or nutella? can you have breakfast at dinner? do they have annie’s bunnies?
is there a snack list?
Yes you can make a sandwich with hummus and whatever toppings. Not sure about specific brands because they mostly take everything out of packaging but looks like they have some. Yes you can have breakfast at dinner but they will start to challenge you on that depending on who your dietitian is. Snack list is options A though E depending on your meal plan. Here it is copied from my paper I just found:
A- banana, milk or juice, goldfish, string cheese and fruit, nutrigrain bar, vanilla wafers, cottage cheese, nuts
B- chocolate milk, rice krispie treat, yogurt, graham crackers with pb or sunbutter, popcorn, baked Lays, cashews
C- cereal and milk, Nature Valley bar, Sunchips, pretzels, banana with pb or sunbutter, oatmeal, Fig Newtons, Kind bar, Larabar (OR two A snacks equal a C snack)
D- 2 cereals and milk, nuts and fruit, yogurt and cashews, pretzels with pb sunbutter or cream cheese, Magic Cup, Clif bar and milk, tortilla chips and guacamole, Bobo bar, pita bread and hummus (OR A plus C snack equals D snack)
E-cashews and banana, Sabra hummus and pretzels, smoothie, yogurt and granola, 2 pkts pb or sunbutter with graham crackers and mill/juice, 2 cookies and milk, trail mix, yogurt covered pretzels or raisins (OR two C snacks equals an E snack)
Hope that helps!
Does anyone know if they fully weight restore you at ACUTE?
Heather
No, the goal is to be medically stable enough to go to residential or inpatient
Sheryl
Do not trust Denver acute- everything they tell you prior to coming here is not true. Time is multiplied by months and they have their own requirements you must meet before transferring to your desired facility which may not have those same requirements. Don’t repeat my mistake- go somewhere else!
Anonymous
Totally agree with Sheryl! They completely disregarded all my GI issues, were racially/ethically insensitive, shamed me for almost everything (including my profession), and didn’t really individualize my treatment in that sense: the CNAs were largely horrible and I was left with so, so much trauma. I was kept there for 2 months, even after I agreed to go to residential at an approved facility, and it was a nightmare. I am now in a much worse place, all thanks to ACUTE.
elise
reviews like this scare me and confuse me. some people love it and say everyone is kind, it is individualized, and they help you with your stomach/refeeding. and others say this… how do we know what to trust?
Elise, unfortunately you can’t really know for sure.
But it’s important to consider that ACUTE takes *very* sick individuals with severe & often long standing EDs.
And while I’m not saying this is true for any individual reviewer here, the fact is that individuals in that situation tend to have a really hard time in treatment. Even if they do want recovery, their EDs **scream & fight** very loudly when threatened in a setting like that.
Also, typically they will refeed & medically stabilize in 2-3wks, then send pts elsewhere. BUT stays will be prolonged when medical complications arise and/or a person is at very high risk for complications.
I say this as a former ACUTE patient myself. They were very kind, individualized & addressed my GI issues very well.
But my ED flared & I hated it too…I felt trapped, angry and deceived.
So both can exist simultaneously for sure.
Treatment will be what you make of it for the most part. Try your best to separate yourself from the raging ED voice that will come out…and really try to resist the ‘them versus me’ attitude & remember it’s ‘Us versus ED’. Hard, I know, but important to be very mindful of with any treatment team.
Elise
Thanks. You’re right. For example, I had a good experience at Mirasol and the reviews on here are horrible. If I would have read them before going it could have skewed my decision. It depends on your relationship to the team and your willingness. Maybe reading reviews isn’t the best thing to do after all.
Where else is there to go that accepts very low weights? THANKS
Rosewood, Laureate, Center for Change, Princeton, Rogers, and the University of Iowa all do
Very true – I went there voluntarily due to lack of available resources in my home state and was immediately certified due to my BMI. I had initially told them my plan was to transition to a residential program in my home state (which they agreed to) however, once there they redacted that and transferred me to ERC on a certification (despite being weight restored).
Sarrr
do you do/say anything initially that gave you a cert! im so scared about this
Anonymous
Torrance is a stabilization unit. They might only be taking from California. I’d try Sanford in Fargo.
Grace
insurance question–i know it’s a long shot but does anyone by any chance have experience with USFHP and ACUTE?? every facility i talk to has a different opinion on whether or not USFHP is tricare but whatever they decide is almost always to my detriment (ie. if they’re in-network with tricare, USFHP isn’t tricare. if they’re out of network and don’t do SCAs with tricare, USFHP is tricare). i read on their website that they don’t do SCAs with tricare and i am just praying that this one things will go my way and they’ll pretend like USFHP isn’t tricare this time. starting to feel so hopeless with how impossible it’s been to get inpatient care through USFHP.
I am being Referred by another out of state residential program to go to Denver acute. Since I am being referred by that program do you think it would be possible for me to go to that program that initially referred me once I am medically stable? Or do you think they will still force me to go to ERC?
If you have a plan to go to another residential/inpatient facility, normally Acute is fine with you going there 🙂
do they have larabars..fresh food.. ? whats acute’s menu like compared to the hospital menu? i heard there are different menus for ACUTE and for the other hospital patients? do they cook it fresh?
Mary, Acute’s food service is compltely separate from Denver Health (the hospital they connect to). They do cook it fresh and they do an amazing job of getting things accurate. They don’t have any fresh vegetables, to help with bloating and stomach issues. They have fresh berries and melon. I think they have a few bars, Bobo bars, but I’m not sure about Lara bars.
The menu is somewhat limited but they have all the basics. Everything is made to order.
Emily
Which place is less strict Denver ACUTE or Torrance Memorial? Anyone know? certs/holds scare me
Emily
I heard that dietitians at ACUTE work with you and what foods you are able to tolerate and everything is 1-1. You basically choose what to eat everyday and I wanted to know if anyone knew if Torrance was individual in that way too or they made you eat meals they chose for you.
This is true. Everything at Acute is totally individualized. You meal plan with your dietitian every day and chose your meals from a list of foods. The list isn’t huge but you can stick to the same things over and over based on what’s easiest for you. Especially in the beginning, what they really care about is just getting in nutrition. I haven’t been to Torance so I can’t speak for a comparison.
Anonymous
I agree about ACUTE. I have been there twice and I would go again now but my current insurance does not cover it. The nutritionists really do work with you for every meal and it is your choice ultimately. I was also surprised at them being so flexible about meals. And when I went there they allowed Diet Coke and gum, which is unheard of in treatment land. I was also relieved that I didn’t have to go to any groups since it’s so individualized. And you have your electronics the entire time.
Emily
How do they determine when you can discharge? What is medically stable now in their eyes? A certain BMI?
Emily
I could eat the same thing everyday until discharge or they make you expand? Ask how do you get to discharge? What are the qualifications?
Those things are personlized so it is hard to say. You have to be medically stable. That requires reaching a minimum BMI, stable labs and vitals, all other medical criteria being stable, gaining weight at their desired pace and eating enough calories. I think it varies a lot by the individual. I can say that they do expect everyone to go straight to residential care. I know a few people have said they didn’t go to residential afterward but from my experience and the other people I met there, that would be the vast minority. As they told me, they don’t believe you can be successful leaving IP without res so they pretty much make you step down.
i need inpatient before res. i’m looking into ACUTE or Torrance Memorial since Im 26. Are there any other adult inpatients that I should look into/are good? I’m scared of ACUTE because of certs and how they force you into ERC. Anyone ever been to Torrance?
Amber
Wondering if anyone has been here while medically compromised but not at a deathly critical low weight ?
Yes! I think a lot of people associate ACUTE with extreme emaciation but they definitely have patients with bulimia and “atypical” anorexia, too. There’s no BMI requirement to be admitted there—it’s really based on your medical state which can be compromised at any weight.
I did not have that experience. I called ACUTE for an intake and even though I had multiple medical complications going on they told me they weren’t able to admit me because my BMI was within the normal range.
Hi,
When going to Acute, will they make you step-down to ERC?
I am in the process of being admitted to Acute but I really don’t want to go to ERC and am terrified of getting a cert (since this is what I’ve been reading everywhere)..
I would really appreciate an answer, since I’m freaking out and otherwise rather go to a different inpatient program where I’ve got a say in where I go after. Thanks!
They encourage ERC because it is in the same city and they have a partnership, but you don’t HAVE to go there. The primary thing is that you (willingly) step down to a regular inpatient program or a residential afterwards.
That’s because ACUTE doesn’t provide intensive ED treatment, just intensive ED medical stabilization. So if all you do is get medically stabilized and you don’t go somewhere afterwards to treat the rest of the eating disorder, you’re setting yourself up for an almost guaranteed relapse. I’ve heard of one person who convinced them to let her step down to PHP, and she immediately relapsed and was back at ACUTE, so my guess is that’s out.
Kshay
I’ve actually met a couple people who stepped down from acute straight into php. Edcare in Denver is only php and iop and during my two stays, there were a few people who discharged straight into php.
Some of them did ok and never went back to acute
Could you do a review of EDcare?
Hi, does anyone have experience with a surgical tube at acute? I have a j tube for gastroparesis and am being admitted sometime this week. Thanks in advance.
When were you there: Feb-Mar 2021
How many patients on average: Max is 30 and it was usually always full.
Does it treat both males and females? If so, is treatment separate or combined: Yes, men and women. Treatment is room-based so no interaction with other patients.
How often do you see a medical doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist (therapist), nutritionist, etc?: You see a medical doctor every day, a dietitian almost every day to plan the next day’s menu, and 2-3 times per week you see a psychiatrist, psychologist (therapy), occupational therapist, and physical therapist.
What is the staff ratio to patients?: 1:1 because you ALWAYS have a CNA or BHT with you
What sort of therapies are used? (DBT, CBT, EMDR) etc?: It’s only individual therapy and I found it very lacking but that’s to be expected when stays are meant to be short-term. They won’t dive much into your history.
Describe the average day: Wake up at 6:30 for vitals (possibly 5:30 if you had labs), pee and change in a gown for weight, shower (if allowed- you may only have bed baths or sitting showers), and hygiene.
8:00 Breakfast
10:15 snack
12:30 Lunch
3:00 Snack
5:15 dinner
8:30 snack(Meal and snack times may vary by 30 or so minutes because the unit is split into different schedules.)Between meals and snacks, your treatment team will sign up for times to come meet with you. Your CNA will write them down on your whiteboard. If you get cleared, you will be allowed walks around the unit and even outings to go outside. Otherwise, there’s a TV in each room that you can connect to your Netflix account. I also spent a lot of time sleeping lol, reading, working on art supplies, and mainly just used my electronics. There’s no real bedtime but I think they encouraged it around 10.
What were meals like?: Meals seemed pretty typical for hospital food although my dietitian allowed me to do write-ins for every meal as long as I met my nutrition goals so I ate mostly snack foods at meals. I’ve heard not all the dietitians allow this though. Meals are 45mins and snacks are 30mins. I found this to be way more time than I needed but luckily you can just get up from the table once you’ve completed 100% (unlike other places where you sit the whole time). You could get your tray up to 15mins early but you did not have to start eating until the scheduled time but I always just started when then the tray came to keep the food cold/hot because they won’t reheat it for you. They are also super strict about not changing anything once it’s on the menu so no substitutions will be made at that time (even like asking for a pepper packet). If they run out of a certain item, they will replace it and you will still have to complete it to be considered compliant even though you didn’t order it which was very frustrating for me when there was a snowstorm and multiple things were out of stock and I didn’t like the replacement.
What sorts of food were available or served?: Cereal, granola, oatmeal, toast, biscuits, bagel, pancakes, breakfast sandwich, muffins, eggs, sausage, bacon, yogurt, greek yogurt, cottage cheese, English muffins, peanut butter, sun butter, Nutella, all fruits (minus apples and oranges because they discourage you from choosing high fiber foods), lots of sandwich/wrap options (turkey, pb&j, grilled chicken, BLT, tuna or chicken salad, grilled cheese, hummus/turkey, ham and swiss), chicken stir fry with rice, teriyaki salmon, chicken, cheeseburger, omelets, pot roast, mac and cheese, corn muffins, chicken satay, pizza, flatbread, pretzels, chips, chicken burrito, hummus/cheese/veg wrap, turkey/bacon/guac wrap, ice cream, pudding, Snickers ice cream bars, Magic Cups, cookies, milk and soy milk, various fruit juices, and more. ***DO NOT expect to get vegetables while you’re here. It took me 3 weeks for my dietitian to allow me to eat a vegetable lol.
Snacks work off levels A-E with E being the largest. Some A snacks would be things like fruit with cheese stick, granola bar, cottage cheese, goldfish. Some E snacks would be like smoothies, trail mix, 2 cookies and 8oz milk, 2pkts Nutella with 2pkgs graham crackers with 4oz milk. You could also mix and match to equal a bigger snack (like you could choose 2 A snacks to equal a C or choose 2 C’s to equal an E).
You are allowed 1 caffeinated drink per day (either coffee, diet coke (some off-brand kind), or tea). Other drink options were decaf coffee, diet sprite, diet fruit punch, diet lemonade, and herbal teas. During the day, you can have up to four of the 32oz hospital water jugs they give you. Overnight (like 9 pm-6 am), you’re allowed up to 16oz. All of this of course can change if you get placed on a fluid protocol or restrictions.
They have strict rules on condiments (no salt) but allowed 4 per meal and 2 per snack: pepper, mustard, ketchup, jellies, Splenda, salsa, hot sauce, etc. I think there was a limit on how many could be artificial sweeteners or hot sauces though. They also allow up to 10 lemon drop hard candies per day (helps with gland swelling) and 6 pieces of gum per day.
Did they supplement? How did that system work?: Supplement options were Ensure Enlive and Ensure Clear. The amount was based on the missed calories but it did not ever seem accurate to me. The dietitian would also work with you to add Benecal to your meals/snacks if it helped you complete and avoid supplementing.
What is the policy of not complying with meals?: The team would then discuss tube feeding, which they are quick to resort to.
What privileges are allowed?: Once you are medically cleared, walks around the unit, outings in the wheelchair to go outside, physical therapy exercises to do in your room like stretching and yoga.
Does it work on a level system?: Yes, level A means the CNA is with you all the time and level B means they stay only for meals/snacks. I think it’s rare to be moved from level A to level B because you’re normally not there for long enough.
How do you earn privileges? Being compliant with what your treatment team recommends and completing 100%.
What sort of groups do they have?: No groups of any kind here.
What level of activity or exercise was allowed?: Once medically cleared, you can do 2 laps around the unit 3 times per day and OT and PT will give you stretching or yoga exercises you can do once per day.
What did people do on weekends?: Nothing different except less clinical staff so no meetings other than on-call doctor
Do you get to know your weight?: No
How fast is the weight gain process? Faster than most. I’d say 3-4lbs per week
What was the average length of stay?: They say 14-21 days is average but it seemed everyone there was there for much much longer
What was the average age range? You don’t see much of the other patients but definitely older than the typical residential center patient. I think most people coming to Acute have been sick for a very long time
How do visits/phone calls work? You can have your own cell phone, computer, iPad, etc. Visits had just begun again while I was there due to COVID and they were increasing the hours back to 4 pm-8 pm on weekdays and 12 pm-8 pm on weekends (all except during meal/snack times or meetings with clinicians).
Are you able to go out on passes? No
What kind of aftercare do they provide? Do they help you set up an OP treatment team?: Your social worker helps you set up a discharge plan of where to go next. They will definitely try pushing one of their partner facilities (like ERC). They don’t discharge people to OP.
Are there any resources for people who come from out of state/country? They picked me up from the airport.
What did you like the most?: Well, the beginning was great. During my first week, I was just truly impressed with my team and how competent they were at treating Eds. I felt truly cared for and it was great having the individualized care. They were proactive to my needs before they even became problems. I also liked that everything was clean and your room was cleaned daily with fresh sheets. The therapy dog had just started visiting again while I was there and that was always a lovely treat.