1. Telepsychiatry Consultation Program Achieving Tomorrow, Today
South Carolina Department of Mental Health (DMH) Division of Medical Affairs
Innovative Trends In Healthcare: Telepsychiatry Services in Hospital Emergency Departments, A Behavioral Health Solution
Telepsychiatry Consultation Program Achieving Tomorrow, Today
Last Update: 1/11/2016

2. Overview
the Problem – Patient Back-up in the Hospital Emergency Departments (EDs)
the Partnerships –
The Duke Endowment, SC Department of Health and Human Services, USC School of Medicine, and the SC Hospital Association
the Proposal – Video Consults to Hospital EDs
the Purpose – Increased Access to MH care
Last Update: 12/11/2016

3. Primary Goals Increase the Quality of Care
Provide Timely Psychiatric Assessment
Rapid Initiation of Treatment
Reduction in Length of Stay (LOS)
Comprehensive Discharge Planning
Savings to the Hospital and Community
Last Update: 12/11/2016

4. Remote Site Locations
Last Update: 07/22/2015

5. Clinical Office Locations
Columbia, SC (2)
Anderson, SC
Aiken, SC (2)
N. Charleston, SC (8) *
* FUTURE
Spartanburg, SC *
Charleston, SC (4)
Last Update: 12/11/2016

6. Consultation Process Patient Presents in ED
ED Case Physician Requests Consult
Psychiatrist Reviews CIS, SCHIEx, EMR
Patient Consulted via Two-Way Video Cart
Video Encounter is Completed
Psychiatrist Electronically Signs Consult
Recommendations Sent to ED and Local Mental Health Center or Substance Abuse
Hospital Dispositions the Patient
Last Update: 12/18/2015

7. Dashboard - Time
Comparing end of March 2009 (pre-Telepsychiatry) to end of March 2015 for Mental Health Patients in Hospital ED’s:
85% Reduction in Patient Wait Times for MH Assessment (2.5 days to 9.3 hours)
Last Update: 07/29/2015

8. Turn-Around 13-15 consults every 17 hour day (December 2016)
Current program results: 34% recommended for discharge the same day (24-48 hours) of consultation
Last Update: 12/18/2015

9. Satisfaction Surveys
Last Update: 2/20/16

10. Survey Results – Patients
Positive Impact on Patients…
100% of ED Staff state Telepsychiatry is an efficient use of Patient’s time
92% state Patients appear comfortable during consultations
84% state Patients are cooperative during the consultation
Last Update: 07/2015

11. Survey Results – ED Doctors
Benefits to the Emergency Departments…
83.4% of ED Physicians state Telepsychiatry is an efficient use of ED Staff’s time;
100% of ED Physicians state they are satisfied with the availability of Telepsychiatry;
100% of ED Physicians state they are satisfied with the thoroughness of consults; and,
83.3% of ED Physicians state they are satisfied with disposition recommendations
Last Update: 07/2015

12. Survey Results - Administration
Efficient Use of Hospital Resources…
70% of Hospital Administrators state the program is an efficient use of hospital funds
80% would recommend the program to other Hospitals
60% would be interested in additional uses of the platform for other medical specialties
Last Update: 07/2015

13. R01 Grant Research
Collateral Impact: Reallocation of Resources by ED’s to ED-appropriate care
Reduced Commitment Rate to BH Inpatient Beds
Reduction in Average Inpatient LOS
Produced Savings of $3,006 in BH Inpatient Settings per Care Episode
Equals (approx.) $35+ M in BH Inpatient and Community Medical Savings
Last Update: 12/18/2015

14. Website
Last Update:2/1/16

15. Community Site Locations
Last Update: 2/28/2016

16. For more information, please visit: www. scdmh
For more information, please visit: Contact:
Ed Spencer, M.Ed., MSW
Tracy Turner
Last Update: 12/18/2015