Sierra Vista, Ariz.-based Canyon Vista Medical Center has implemented a new intake and assessment process for patients experiencing mental and behavioral health emergencies.
The redesign allows patients to bypass the traditional emergency department and go directly to an assessment within the hospital’s behavioral health unit, according to a news release shared with Becker’s. The hospital also adapted its electronic medical record system to support transitions for patients and trained staff on safe and timely assessments.
“Not every injury treated at CVMC is physical,” Scott Avery, CEO of Canyon Vista Medical Center, said in the release. “Mental health crises deserve the same level of urgency and specialized care as any medical emergency. This new process is an important step forward in making sure our community members receive compassionate care, in the right setting, at the right time, and we will continue exploring ways to further expand our behavioral health capabilities.”
