HASC’s leadership in Orange County affirmed its support last week for county plans to convert its crisis stabilization unit to the PES model of care and for a second PES in the county to help meet the needs of patients in psychiatric crisis. CEOs and other hospital leaders also expressed support for the development of a comprehensive data tracking system that would promote efforts to continuously improve the delivery of care for these patients.

Orange County hospitals and the county have been working for close to a year on strategies to improve the delivery system for these patients, whose treatment has been delayed due to capacity issues and administrative requirements. Using Alameda County’s PES as a starting point for discussion, SB 82 grant proposals were developed and submitted to the state early in 2014 for triage personnel and the establishment of two PES facilities. The PES grant was not funded. Local discussions continued, however, and workgroups developed more specific proposals for the PES facilities. These proposals and related recommendations were incorporated into a report that will be formalized and shared with the community and county officials. Support is already building in the community from law enforcement, the Mental Health Association of Orange County, the Orange County Psychiatric Society, NAMI, and others.

Consistent with the grant development collaborative, overarching goals of the HASC PES initiative are to stabilize and expedite treatment for patients in care settings more appropriate than traditional hospital emergency rooms, and reduce involuntary hospitalization when appropriate.

Contact: Julie Puentes

(714) 663-0294, jpuentes@hasc.org