ED to PHP
Approximately one in eight people who visit the Emergency Department (ED) are there for a mental health or substance issue.
But often, there is a disconnect between the care they receive in the ED and the next step in their treatment.
“The individuals who present in the emergency department are generally in acute crisis,” said Carrie Pichie, PhD, director of ambulatory services for Natchaug Hospital. “Any delay in access to treatment increases the risk of adverse events, such as overdose or suicide.”
In 2017, Natchaug Hospital’s 11 partial hospital treatment locations began offering same or next day intake appointments for patients in nine local emergency rooms. Natchaug’s partial hospital programs offer intensive treatment for mental health and substance abuse issues for three to five hours a day, up to five days a week.
Each program now offers a standing appointment time specifically for patients referred by the emergency departments. The EDs are provided with referral cards for patients, informing them of their appointment slot and important program info including address and contact phone numbers.
Since the pilot began in October 2016 through July 2017, Natchaug’s ambulatory programs have received a total of 310 referrals that resulted in 169 admissions.