Saint Joseph Health’s Continuing Care Hospital Expands Services

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 31, 2025) – Continuing Care Hospital, a 23-bed specialty  hospital at Saint Joseph Hospital, is expanding its services to an additional location at Saint Joseph East. CCH’s focus is caring for patients with medically complex conditions that require extended hospitalizations for medical reasons. 

With the growing need for services for patients with medically complex needs, as well as substance abuse and behavioral health needs, CCH recognized the need to expand and open this new unit on the fifth floor at Saint Joseph East. This new program will integrate complex medical care with behavioral health treatment utilizing counselors and clinical social workers to focus on substance abuse and behavioral health needs.

“The situation with intravenous drug use cases is the greatest concern,” said Bob Desotelle, president, Continuing Care Hospital. “These patients typically have infections of their heart, pulmonary embolisms or bone infections, particularly of the spine. Left untreated or not finishing treatment can lead to a variety of complications including paralysis, heart failure and heart valve disorders requiring surgery, and strokes.”

Studies show the life expectancy of IV drug users is about 20 years less than a non-drug user.  About 30 percent of these patients leave the hospital against medical advice only to be readmitted in a few days with a more resistant infection that is harder to treat. 

“For medically complex patients with underlying and new mental health issues we realize that more care is needed than just having a psychiatrist available,” Desotelle said. “Some of our patients have known underlying mental health issues that need to be addressed, but many of our patients have PTSD-type issues from having a catastrophic illness and often permanent loss of independence.”

Alcohol and drug use and mental health are two of the top priority needs across Kentucky, according to community health needs assessments conducted in the communities served by Saint Joseph Health. Matt Grimshaw, MBA, president, Saint Joseph Health, said this expansion serves the identified needs of the community, while advancing the mission of the ministry.

“This expanded care focuses on a vulnerable population that needs extra attention and focus beyond the medical care provided in our other hospitals,” he said. “We are proud to collaborate with state leaders and other stakeholders in this vital endeavor. By working together, we can ensure these patients receive the comprehensive support they need to foster a healthier future, not only for themselves and their families, but also for the communities they call home.”

Referring providers can contact Continuing Care Hospital at 859-313-4122 or by sending a fax to 859-967-5681 for patients who need admission for this advanced care.

About Saint Joseph Health

Saint Joseph Health, part of CommonSpirit Health, is one of the largest and most comprehensive health systems in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with 100 locations in 20 counties, including hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes and home health agencies. The hospitals in Saint Joseph Health are Flaget Memorial Hospital, Saint Joseph Berea, Saint Joseph East, Saint Joseph Hospital, Saint Joseph Jessamine, Saint Joseph London, Saint Joseph Mount Sterling, and Women’s Hospital at Saint Joseph East. In total, the health system serves patients in 35 counties statewide. Saint Joseph Health is dedicated to providing a wide array of services toward a goal of building a healthier future for all. Saint Joseph Health embodies a strong mission and faith-based heritage and works through local partnerships to expand access to care in the communities it serves.

About Continuing Care Hospital

Continuing Care Hospital is a 53-bed, specialty hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, located within Saint Joseph Hospital and Saint Joseph East. Established in 2002, the facility is licensed as a general acute care hospital that serves residents of central and eastern Kentucky, and addresses the unique and complicated physical, emotional, spiritual, nursing and rehabilitation needs of long-term patients. 

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