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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

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The region we represent:

Add map of area

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The “lay of the land”:

12 Counties 11,000 square miles Population - 370,000 Rural communities – (money &

transportation issues)

Our local region, larger than 5 states

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Challenges

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Contributing challenges:

Funding cuts Limited healthcare resources Rising costs Greater than 20% uninsured System at capacity

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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

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Burden placed on Hospitals 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

Nacogdoches, TX to Louisville, KY = 818 miles

An estimated travel time = 13 hours 36 minutes

Nacogdoches, TX to El Paso, TX = 820 miles

Estimated Driving Time = 13 hours 48 minutes

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Addressing the Problem

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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

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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

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RETHN Boards Local Advisory Boards

Regional Board of Directors

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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

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The Results

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PESC established:

Locked Extended Observation Unit: up to 48 hour observation, assessment, and intervention

Unlocked Voluntary Residential Unit: up to two weeks stay

Staffing?

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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

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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

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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

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PESC implementation:

Protocols and Procedures were created

Trainings were held across the region

Opened on December 8, 2008 Opened in temporary location in

Nacogdoches

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New PESC in Lufkin:

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

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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:

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

 

QUESTIONS

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David Cozadd: (936) 639-1141; davidc@burke-center.org

Anne Bondesen: (936) 465-0357; anneb@burke-center.org

Contact Information: