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The Rural East Texas Health Network

The Rural East Texas Health Network. Who we are:. Anne Bondesen – Project Director for the Rural East Texas Health Network David Cozadd – Director of Operations for the Burke Center. The region we represent:. Add map of area. The “lay of the land”:.

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The Rural East Texas Health Network

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  1. The Rural East Texas Health Network

  2. Who we are: Anne Bondesen – Project Director for the Rural East Texas Health Network David Cozadd – Director of Operations for the Burke Center

  3. The region we represent: • Add map of area

  4. The “lay of the land”: • 12 Counties • 11,000 square miles • Population - 370,000 • Rural communities – (money & transportation issues)

  5. Our local region, larger than 5 states

  6. Challenges

  7. Contributing challenges: • Funding cuts • Limited healthcare resources • Rising costs • Greater than 20% uninsured • System at capacity

  8. Shortage of Resources: • Medically and Psychiatrically underserved area • Health Care Professional Shortage • Mental Health Care Professional shortage • No other comprehensive providers • Lost inpatient beds locally and state-wide • No forensic psych beds available

  9. Burden placed onHospitals and Law Enforcement • Long distances to resources • Hurricanes Katrina & Rita • 20% increase in hospitalizations • Psychiatric beds stay full • Overflow to hospitals and jails • Heavy workload on hospitals & law enforcement departments • Frustrated and outraged

  10. Nacogdoches, TX to Louisville, KY = 818 milesAn estimated travel time = 13 hours 36 minutes

  11. Nacogdoches, TX to El Paso, TX = 820 milesEstimated Driving Time = 13 hours 48 minutes

  12. Addressing the Problem

  13. The Rural East Texas Health Network • Created in 2006 through a federal HRSA Network Planning Grant • In 2007, received Mental Health Transformation grant through the Texas Health Institute. • In 2008, received HRSA Network Development Grant

  14. Purpose of the RETHN: • Line of communication between stakeholders • Line of communication between community and mental health provider • Educate community on issues and needs • Create a united voice working towards common goals • Provide a mechanism for collaborative problems solving

  15. RETHN Boards Local Advisory Boards Regional Board of Directors

  16. In 2007, our request proposal for funds for a regional Psychiatric Emergency Service Center (PESC) • Already organized and poised for action • Need already identified • 25% financial match received from community • Support letters from stakeholders • Pledge from Temple Foundation

  17. The Results

  18. PESC established: • Locked Extended Observation Unit: up to 48 hour observation, assessment, and intervention • Unlocked Voluntary Residential Unit: up to two weeks stay • Staffing?

  19. PESC - What we do: Accept people for evaluation 24/7 Staff will screen for appropriateness Do a comprehensive evaluation Telemedicine Begin to work quickly to alleviate symptoms and stabilize Move to a lesser level of care within 48 hours (higher level in limited cases) Work to return people to their homes and community

  20. PESC - Who we serve: • Persons 18 years of age or older AND • Persons coming from any of our 12 counties AND • Persons who have a mental illness AND • Persons who are in imminent danger of harming themselves or others due to their mental illness

  21. PESC - What we are not: • We are not a hospital • We are not a jail • We are not a drunk tank, detox facility or alcohol/drug treatment facility • We are not a homeless shelter • We are not an Alzheimer or dementia treatment facility

  22. PESC implementation: • Protocols and Procedures were created • Trainings were held across the region • Opened on December 8, 2008 • Opened in temporary location in Nacogdoches

  23. New PESC in Lufkin:

  24. Outcomes: • Have admitted over 2,000 clients since opening in December 2008 • Reduction in time involvement by law enforcement and hospital emergency departments • Reduction in costs • Reduction in higher utilization of more intensive treatment resources • Less intrusive care option for consumers

  25. Further progress in staying out of hospital emergency departments Substance abuse Continuing adequate funding and resources Creating a new demand for outpatient treatment Medication and transportation needs Forensics Continuing Challenges: 27

  26. Other projects: • Telemedicine/conferencing • Web-site for RETHN • Patient Information Index • Mental Health Awareness

  27. QUESTIONS

  28. Contact Information: David Cozadd: (936) 639-1141; davidc@burke-center.org Anne Bondesen: (936) 465-0357; anneb@burke-center.org

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