Levels of Care
Outpatient Treatment
For patients who require some assistance, but are able to face the stresses of work or school, the outpatient program offers the support and guidance needed for recovery. Patients generally live at home and make regular visits to the clinic for:
- Individual, group and family therapy
- Medical management (examinations,weigh-ins, etc.)
- Pharmacological treatment (monitoring the use and effectiveness of prescription medications as needed)
- Nutritional counseling
Partial Hospitalization
When outpatient care is not enough, but inpatient treatment is not necessary, the Eating Disorders Partial Hospitalization program located in MeritCare Hospital offers more intense, onsite, full-day treatment for adolescents and adults dealing with eating disorders.
The partial hospitalization program is the only one of its kind in the region. Patients can live at home but spend each weekday from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. in the partial hospital, taking part in therapeutic activities designed to help them overcome their eating disorder.
An on-staff dietitian introduces patients to a meal plan of three meals and two snacks per day. Those struggling with anorexia nervosa are given weight goals and closely monitored. Patients participate in regular group, individual and family psychotherapy, as well as activities led by occupational and recreational therapists.
For adolescents in the program, we work closely with the schools to get schoolwork brought to the hospital. A tutor is onsite to help students with their work.
Find out more about the Partial Hospital Program.
Inpatient Care
When an eating disorder is considered life-threatening, close monitoring is often required. Those who fail to respond to outpatient treatment or partial hospitalization, or whose medical or personal needs warrant it, may need to be admitted into EDI's Inpatient Eating Disorders Program located at MeritCare South University.
Inpatient care provides a safe and stable place for treatment to begin or resume. Patients remain at the hospital and take part in various programs throughout the day, with additional activities scheduled during the evenings and on weekends.
Treatment during the inpatient stage is intensive. Patients may remain very ambivalent about their recovery, requiring considerable support from staff. Dietary monitoring is needed to reverse the life-threatening effects of an intense weight loss. New medications may need to be watched carefully. And coping mechanisms are taught in order to curb behaviors such as binge eating.
Staff provides a great deal of guidance and support throughout the hospital stay. We want patients to feel safe and secure in their surroundings and in themselves. This supportive attitude continues as the individual eases back into the partial hospital program, where staff continue to closely monitor them to assure a smooth transition.
Family Involvement
Regardless of the stage in the treatment process, people with eating disorders need a strong and active support network outside the hospital to help ensure success. We encourage family involvement for all our eating disorder patients. We also offer an ongoing support group for families and friends of any individual who struggles with an eating disorder. The group is offered free of charge and is open to the entire community.