University Health System/Duke Endowment

Telepsychiatry Project

Sheila DaviesAlbemarle Hospital Foundationsdavies@albemarlhealth.org (252)384-4646

UHS/DE Telepsychiatry Project

The Albemarle Hospital Foundation received a grant from the Duke Endowment (DE) to implement telepsychiatry in University Health System (UHS) Hospital Emergency Departments.

Telepsychiatry

Telepsychiatry is the use of two-way real time-interactive audio and video, run on a secure network with encryption, meeting all confidentiality standards, between places of lesser and greater psychiatric expertise to provide and support psychiatric care. This is especially useful in rural areas where access to specialty care is limited or non-existent.

Project Partners

The Albemarle Hospital Foundation University Health System Hospitals East Carolina Behavioral Health--LME Beacon Center--LME Eastpointe --LME ECU, Brody School of Medicine Psychiatry

Department and MTS Department Coastal Carolina Neuropsychiatric Center

Project Model

Project Model (continued)

Telepsychiatry

Telepsychiatry services available in 7 UHS hospitals in 2011 and potential of additional 14 non UHS hospitals in 2012

Services are available 7 days a week from 8 am – 6 pm.

Hospital Implementation Schedule

May Albemarle August Chowan and Bertie

Memorial September Albemarle Inpatient,

Duplin General and Roanoke Chowan

October Heritage and Outer Banks

2012 non-UHS hospitals

Implementation Map

Aftercare Component

Reduce barriers to behavioral health aftercare services and increase the number of completed aftercare referrals/services to change the entry point of care from the ED to the Local Service Provider. Increase collaboration between the hospital ED and

the local mental health service providers to link patients to essential follow-up and aftercare services (Stakeholder Meetings)

Assure that the uninsured and underinsured with behavioral health care diagnoses have access to all services in the continuum of care (Hospital specific resource guides)

Patient post discharge follow up phone calls

Beyond Telepsychiatry…

Other applications: Teleaudiology -2 pediatric hearing tests

conducted already at AH ECU connection – expanding possibilities

2012 and Beyond: Potential of adding telepsychiatry in 12-14

additional hospitals Implement teleneurology and telestroke at AH Explore other telemedicine applications