On-demand Telepsychiatry Services for Emergency Departments
24/7 coverage to reduce wait times
Behavioral Health Solutions for Hospital EDs
One out of every eight visits to an emergency department (ED) involves psychiatric or substance use concerns. Physicians and nurses in EDs often feel a sense of helplessness, frustration, and inefficacy when caring for patients with symptoms of a mental illness. ITP helps emergency department teams provide focused care to patients in need of behavioral health services.
ITP’s on-demand telepsychiatry services give EDs access to board-certified psychiatric specialists who assess patients, manage treatment and recommend disposition. Our crisis coordinators work around the clock to find the appropriate level of care for patients. The end result is increased ED and inpatient throughput, shorter LOS, and improved satisfaction for both patients and providers.
What ITP Does for EDs
- Improves access to psychiatric specialists
- Conducts psychiatric assessments 24/7
- Provides medication and treatment management
- Offers ED consultations
- Provides inpatient behavioral health unit management and support
- Reduces stress of ED staff
- Shortens length of stay
- Expands behavioral health services
- Fills coverage gaps
- Secures appropriate placement for patients
Joint Commission Accreditation
ITP earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for behavioral health care accreditation in 2021. We remain committed to continuous compliance with the commission’s performance standards and promise to always to what’s best for our patients and partners.
Mental Health Concerns in EDs
More than 12% of all emergency department visits are related to mental health concerns, including suicidal ideation and attempts. People with a mental illness are about five times more likely to become frequent ED users when compared to patients without behavioral health concerns.
ITP gives EDs more behavioral health providers who specialize in comprehensive treatment to improve patient outcomes. Our scalable solutions integrate seamlessly into your continuum of care, offering financial sustainability while positioning your care team for success.
Enhance Your ED’s Capabilities to Address Mental Health Crises
The biggest way ITP can help emergency departments is by providing timely and accessible psychiatric evaluations to patients in crisis using telecommunications technology such as video conferencing. In the context of emergency departments, telepsychiatry offers several significant benefits:
Rapid access to psychiatric expertise
Emergency departments often encounter patients experiencing acute mental health crises, such as suicidal ideation, severe anxiety, or psychosis. Having access to certified behavioral health providers allows ED staff to connect with mental health professionals quickly, enabling them to assess and manage these patients promptly.
Improved patient outcomes
With timely access to mental health professionals via telepsychiatry, EDs can provide more accurate and immediate evaluations of patients’ mental health needs. This can lead to better treatment decisions, appropriate interventions, and improved patient outcomes.
Reduced wait times and overcrowding
Traditional psychiatric consultations in emergency departments involve long wait times, especially when there’s a shortage of on-site mental health specialists. Telepsychiatry helps alleviate the pressure on EDs by offering an alternative way to assess and manage mental health crises, reducing the burden on in-person resources.
Enhanced resource allocation
By utilizing telepsychiatry, emergency departments can better allocate their resources, as they can direct on-site staff to address other critical medical needs while virtual mental health consultations are taking place.
Expanded coverage and accessibility
Telepsychiatry can be especially beneficial for emergency departments in rural or underserved areas where access to mental health specialists might be limited. Through telecommunication, patients in remote locations can access psychiatric evaluations and care without the need to travel long distances.
Continuity of care
Telepsychiatry enables better communication and coordination between emergency department staff and mental health professionals, improving the handoff process if patients require ongoing psychiatric treatment after their emergency visit.
Next Steps
Our team will work with you to develop a customized solution based around your treatment goals. We take the time to listen to what you need, then build a program to support your staff and improve behavioral health in your community. Our providers can help you expand mental health services, cover open shifts and conduct all follow-up appointments.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency or crisis, please do not use this website; instead, use these resources to speak with someone now or access local support when necessary.