On Demand Assessment

Access to appropriate mental health and substance abuse services is a significant obstacle for many people. I have dedicated myself throughout my career to helping those in crisis access appropriate services.  I am currently able to assist hospital emergency departments manage and treat individuals of all ages presenting with any type of mental health concerns by providing an on demand, 24/7,  evaluation utilizing telehealth services .  This assessment provides a level of care recommendation, initial diagnosis, and thorough documentation of behavioral health criteria all without unwanted delays.  The goal of this service is to enhance the services provided by your hospital by providing the most appropriate level of care recommendation, avoiding inappropriate admissions and holds, shortening length of stays and improving overall ED patient flow.  

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As many as 25% of the population suffer from some form of mental illness and over half will suffer from mental health symptoms at some point in their life. As many as 1 out 8 visits to Emergency Department involves mental health symptoms. Studies have shown mental health concerns as the fastest growing group of emergency medicine patients. This increase in demand along with decline in available providers has made accessing services more difficult than ever before.

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Psychiatric disorders rank second only to cardiovascular disease as a leading cause of lost productivity in the United States. People are seeking stabilizing services mental illness and substance abuse at emergency department at increasing rates. As a result, Emergency Departments are being forced to assume an increasing responsibility for providing both primary and acute mental health care. Despite this growing trend, many ED physicians feel that the specific needs of individuals with mental illness and chemical dependency are outside of their expertise.

 

By working with me as a consultant your facility will receives benefits such as:

• A procedure that assures a proper screening has occurred, minimizing risk

• Reduced patient wait time/total visit time

• More efficient transfers, reduced length of stay, reduction in “left without being seen”

• Fewer unnecessary holds.

• Relief from staffing issues.

• Minimized staff observation time, restraint usage, seclusion time, forced medications.

• Reduced hospital admissions and readmissions when mental health and/or substance abuse is needed

• Improved patient outcomes and patient satisfaction