GCMC launches TeleHealth partnership with Intermountain Healthcare’s Behavioral Health Crisis Progra

PHILIPSBURG — Granite County Medical Center has partnered with Intermountain Healthcare’s Behavioral Health Crisis Program to improve access to crisis treatment for patients in need of mental health evaluations in the Emergency Department.

Using TeleHealth technology, including high-definition cameras, audio equipment, and televisions in patient rooms. Health care providers in Granite County can quickly connect their patients with behavioral health specialists at Intermountain Healthcare 24/7.

Although the idea of the cameras and audio technology might sound simple, the education and training around TeleHealth programs allow trained staff and specialists on both ends of the camera to provide seamless, superior care.

This service provides rapid evaluations to patients in crisis including severe depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and drug related issues. Patients will now receive the care they need from evaluation through disposition including inpatient care, if necessary, and outpatient follow-up care to continue the healing process. In many cases, TeleHealth support may help avoid transfers, keeping these patients closer to home and family.

“No longer will our patients have to wait hours for a licensed counselor to arrive onsite to provide an evaluation,” said Maria Stoppler, CEO Granite County Hospital District. “Our Emergency Room Patients will be able to quickly access a licensed counselor online in times of mental health crisis, and receive an evaluation and determination of needed resources. This will assist in establishing a definitive diagnosis and expedite appropriate care to those in need.”

This partnership with Intermountain Healthcare will not only implement innovative technology to assist in providing superior patient care, it will also address existing challenges including the following:

• There is a nationwide shortage of qualified mental health professionals, especially in rural communities. Utilizing online services, quickly connects the mental health professional directly to the patient in need, without them having to travel.

• This technology minimizes wait times to access treatment. With this technology in place we are reducing wait times for a crisis care evaluation to an average of 15 minutes.

For more information on this new partnership, please visit granitecountyhospital.com or discuss with your healthcare provider at your next visit.

NOTE - This information is a press release from the Granite County Medical Center