Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital Launches TeleHealth Partnership

Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital launches TeleHealth partnership with Intermountain Healthcare’s Behavioral Health Crisis Program

Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital (FMDH) is partnering with Intermountain Healthcare’s Behavioral Health Crisis Program to improve access to crisis treatment for patients. This program will begin Tuesday, March 21^st.

Using TeleHealth technology, including high-definition cameras, audio equipment, and televisions in patient rooms, clinicians in FMDH can quickly connect 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 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.

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:

• Improving timely access to care. With this technology in place we are reducing wait times for a crisis care evaluation to an average of 15 minutes.
• A need for clinical expertise and support that will allow patients to receive care quickly and continue along their path to recovery.