Managing Crisis Services In The Midst Of The Pandemic – A New Web Briefing Recording Released By The Integrated Care Online Community
GETTYSBURG, Pa. (May 3, 2020)—The Integrated Care Online Community released a new web briefing recording—Innovative Practice Solutions for Crisis Services During The Pandemic Emergency. The recording is available to the public at no charge.
With mobile crisis programs and crisis residential programs reporting a 50% decrease in referrals, management of these programs in the midst of the pandemic crisis is a challenge for executive teams. The current state of crisis services—and recommendations for managing these services through the crisis—were the focus of the April 24 web briefing. The web briefing featured Phil Evans, president and chief executive officer of ProtoCall, and Travis Atkinson, crisis systems consultant with TBD Solutions.
The faculty discussed the current snapshot of crisis program management issues. Seventy percent of crisis residential centers lack personal protective equipment, and 37% lack the technology to deploy their staff and volunteers to remote locations. Some 53% of crisis residential programs reported staff attrition due to health concerns. “The longer COVID-19 progresses in the United States, the greater the importance of behavioral health crisis services on public health,” said Mr. Atkinson. “This pandemic has become the great equalizer for helpers and persons served, yet the physical and mental stability of our behavioral health workforce is crucial in preventing and treating mental health crises and avoiding the unintended consequences of social distancing, such as suicide and untreated mental illness.”
Mr. Evans discussed the drop in crisis call volume. He also described innovations that have been successful in his own organization around staffing, remote workflows, and employee morale. The presentation described how organizations with crisis intervention programs can partner with health plans and other community organizations to improve care and sustainability. “It has never been more important than in this crisis to apply Servant Leadership,” says Mr. Evans. “Teams need to know that they come first, so they can be there for people served.”
The Integrated Care Online Community, sponsored by NextGen Healthcare, is the only platform offering up-to-date information, expert perspectives, and mobile content specific to primary care and mental health services. This constantly growing community offers unique perspectives to support organizations serving consumers with complex conditions and support needs. A recording of the webinar and the survey report, 2020 COVID-19 Impact Survey: Behavioral Health Crisis Providers, can be accessed for free by joining the Integrated Care online community at Innovative Practice Solutions for Crisis Services During The Pandemic Emergency. The survey results are summarized in an OPEN MINDS executive briefing, What Is Happening With Crisis Services In The Current Crisis?
About NextGen Healthcare, Inc.
We empower the transformation of ambulatory care—partnering with medical, behavioral and dental providers in their journey to value-based care to make healthcare better for everyone. We go beyond EHR and practice management. Our integrated solutions help increase clinical productivity, enrich the patient experience, and ensure healthy financial outcomes. We believe in better. Learn more at nextgen.com, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. Learn more at www.nextgen.com/
About OPEN MINDS
OPEN MINDS is an award-winning information source, executive education provider, and business solutions firm specializing in the sectors of the health and human service field serving consumers with chronic conditions and complex needs behavioral health and human service field. For thirty years, the team at OPEN MINDS has been a pioneer for change – helping organizations implement the transformational business practices they need to succeed in an evolving market with new policies and regulations. Learn more at www.openminds.com