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ACUTE Center for Eating Disorders

Our Treatment Philosophy

Our Treatment Philosophy

The goal of the ACUTE Center for Eating Disorders is to medically stabilize patients and initiate the nutritional rehabilitation process until the patient has reached medical stability that meets admission criteria for admission wherever their treatment will continue.
  • All patients receive medical and multi-disciplinary care from board-certified internal medicine doctors with expertise in caring for the medical complications of eating disorders and a medical team of nurses, physical therapists, registered dietitians, psychologist, psychiatrists, and other support staff.
  • Patients go through a rigorous medical assessment to identify medical problems and are given individualized recovery plans.
  • All patients are given a balanced oral diet advanced slowly over time to avoid the discomforts of refeeding and the biochemical signs of refeeding syndrome. Registered dietitians have daily visits with the patients.
  • Psychiatric services are provided Dr. Ken Weiner and staff at the Eating Recovery Center.
  • Patients receive daily psychotherapy with Dr. Susan Bennett.  The sessions aim to provide support and discussion of behaviors and motivations, while respecting that patients in this fragile medical state may not be able to complete more intense psychotherapy.
  • All patients are assessed by the Physical Therapy team and individual plans are designed to minimize falls, increase balance, and keep up activity levels.
  • Patients are assessed and asked if they are in need of other support services provided at Denver Health including wound care nurses, social work services and chaplain services.

 

Treatment and Nutrition FAQs
Treatment and Nutrition Frequently Asked Questions 
Is there a medical doctor on site?
 
Yes, there is a team of internists on site 24 hours a day.
 
Is there a “uniform” treatment set for patients?
 
Our plans are individualized for each patients.
 
How long is treatment?
 
It varies by patient and the medical complications they suffer from. Our average length of stay last year was about three weeks. Since we are here to begin recovery by medically stabilizing patients, we only keep patients until they have reached the weight and medical stability required for the next stage of recovery (usually an inpatient eating disorder treatment program).
 
What step-down care does the center provide?
 
As patients meet the admission criteria for the next stage of recovery (which is usually at an inpatient eating disorder program), the ACUTE Center assists with their transfer. Patients admitted to the ACUTE Center must have a plan in place to continue their recovery once they are medically stabilized.
 
What is the meal plan for each patient?
 
Usually three meals and two snacks per day, eaten privately in the patient's room and supervised by a staff member. There are no group meals for patients at this stage of recovery.
 
Is there a policy for supplementing?
 
We do allow for liquid supplements, but do not require it.
 
Are you able to provide tube feedings?
 
ACUTE has never used naso-gastric tubes to feed patients, preferring recovery to start early on with relearning how to eat a balanced, healthy diet starting with low calorie, low salt meals and advancing as medically prudent. As a large hospital, we are able to use existing surgically placed gastric or jejunal tubes for nutrition, and we have a team of surgeons with expertise in placing surgical feeding tubs should the need arise. If a critically ill patient refused to eat, we would consider obtaining emergency guardianship and placement of a surgical feeding tube to save his or her life.
 
Are there kosher and vegetarian options available?
 
Yes.