Feature Photo: Typical view of a old state corridor.
Posted:8-8-2022
by Kim Miller
Odessa (Ector County) – The 87th Texas Legislature (2021) approved Senate Bill 8, which will partially fund a new behavioral health (BH) center to serve the Permian Basin region of Texas.
The Texas Facilities Commission (TFC) recently advertised a request for qualifications (RFQ) for a program manager for the project and is now advertising for design services. Per documents from both RFQs, the campus could include:
Outpatient Services – Key elements of the could include private counseling rooms, offices, multi-function conference and education rooms, and an auditorium.
Inpatient Services – Per the TFC, the campus will include 100 inpatient beds in a neighborhood configuration, to serve a patient population that ranges from adolescents through geriatrics. During the master plan process for TFC, it was envisioned that five inpatient buildings will each feature a mix of private and semi-private rooms with private restrooms, shower facilities and dedicated courtyards for each unit.
Each patient unit will include a day room, communal dining room, patient lounge, and all necessary staff support areas. Larger inpatient education and treatment components will be shared between inpatient units. These spaces could include a large conference and hearing room, activity and recreation therapy rooms, and group therapy spaces.
Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) – The CSU will offer 24-hour emergency access for patients brought in through ambulance or law enforcement, as well as walk-in patients seeking care. The CSU could include an area for minor medical treatment and separate observation rooms for children, adolescents, and adults.
Resident on-call rooms and kitchenettes, an auditorium, along with multiple large and small group meeting rooms throughout the campus could help facilitate the learning environment and increase the appeal to students and residents. A central building, located with a separate access drive, will house the main kitchen, laundry services, and campus warehouse.
kim@virtualbx.com
