Telepsychiatry is an appropriate resource:

• Where access to services is limited by funds, distance and time
• In areas where there is a shortage of qualified mental health professionals
• When crisis intervention is required 24 hours a day

There are a number of benefits for a medical facility employing such a cutting-edge service.  The immediate impact is in the quality of care to the patient.  By expediting patients through the Emergency Room, patients receive the service most appropriate to their needs; freeing valuable acute care bed space.  Additionally, a behavioral health patient who is in crisis may be volatile, therefore, presenting a higher degree of liability for the hospital should that patient need to stay in the ER for any extended period of time.

In addition to on-call services, Center for Family Guidance, PC provides:

• All work necessary to be in compliance with the regulatory guidelines of the Division of Mental Health Services
• Training for Screeners in the use of the telepsychiatric equipment and interview techniques
• Development of all policies and procedures for review by the Medical Executive Committee of the hospital
• Demonstration and marketing for education
• Quality improvement of telepsychiatric equipment and procedures
• Free consultation to the hospital for training in the use of the equipment
• A backup system should equipment fail or the patient requests the presence of a psychiatrist
• Timely documentation via facsimile, with original copies delivered within 24 hours