Care of the Behavioral Health Patient
Healthcare providers must be knowledgeable of the issues, risks and responses associated with care of the behavioral health patient. The following information will assist healthcare providers to optimize treatment of behavioral patients that present in various healthcare settings.
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National Health Service Corps: NHSC Comprehensive Behavioral Health Services Checklist
A checklist to assess comprehensive behavioral health service elements.
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Quick Safety Issue 53
Article by The Joint Commission that discusses the value of psychiatric advanced directives and offers information on how to these can be developed with patients.
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Advance Directive for Mental Health Treatment
Sample psychiatric advanced directive forms developed by the Office of Mental Health and Mental Health Advocacy Service.
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Infographic: Navigating a Mental Health Crisis
An informational poster developed by the National Alliance on Mental Illness that can be used by any healthcare organization. This poster can be used to educate patients and families or even staff members regarding mental health crisis and how to respond in an emergency.
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NAMI: Guide to Navigating a Mental Health Crisis
A guide developed by the National Alliance on Mental Illness designed to provide individuals with mental illness and their families with support and resources. This guide provides a wealth of information on understanding mental illness, what to do in a mental health crisis and what to expect from treatment. It also includes a helpful portable treatment record that aids individuals and families in keeping up with health information and developing a plan of action for mental health crises.
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National Institute of Mental Health
NIMH provides resources on mental health topics and diseases based on conducted research.
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Treatment Advocacy Center-Louisiana
This resource provides a description of the laws in Louisiana regarding the treatment of mental health patients.
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Emergency Department Brief Behavioral Health Risk Assessment Tool
This tool assists our members in identifying potential risks in the emergency room setting related to behavioral health patients. The assessment guides the organization in a comprehensive evaluation of processes and protocols that should be in place to ensure a safe environment for the behavioral health population.
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Patients At Risk for Wandering
Toolkit from the VA to assist staff to prevent patients from eloping or wandering from facility grounds due to mental conditions.
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Elopement Screen
This tool assists staff in identifying patients who are at risk for elopement and provide interventions to mitigate this risk.