HASC is advocating for more efficient care for patients experiencing mental health crises in Orange County. Like emergency departments (EDs) across the country, Orange County facilities were not designed to provide thoughtful therapeutic treatment for individuals in psychiatric crisis. A first quarter survey of the 24 hospitals with EDs showed that thousands of patients with behavioral health issues spent nearly four times longer in the EDs than patients with medical emergencies.

Last month, HASC CEOs sent a letter to the Orange County Board of Supervisors urging the implementation of no-cost regulatory solutions necessary to expedite patient disposition from EDs. In addition, the association worked with the Orange County Medical Association, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and the Orange County Chiefs’ and Sheriff’s Association to advocate for the addition of limited medical screening and expansion of beds at the county’s only crisis stabilization unit.  

In response to two Grand Jury reports and the hospital CEOs’ direct engagement with the Board of Supervisors, Vice Chair Lisa Bartlett directed the county’s health care agency to convene an ad-hoc committee to address the policy changes and long term system improvements for mentally ill patients.

At an Oct. 1 area meeting, HASC members will nominate two hospital CEOs to serve on the committee, HASC regional vice president Whitney Ayers said. As the committee takes form, an association effort focused on new infrastructure — led by St. Joseph Hospital CEO Steve Moreau — will continue its work to identify long-term solutions, including dedicated psychiatric emergency services facilities.

“The formation of the board’s ad hoc committee signals a new level of political leadership necessary to direct public-private partnership solutions,” HASC’s Ayers said. “Continuing engagement from hospital leadership is critical to ensure that we are prepared to offer solutions to match or augment the county’s required investment.”

Contact:
Whitney Ayers
(714) 663-0294
wayers@hasc.org