Question
Isn’t the introduction of a gatekeeper function for a mobile crisis team not by far the best way to enhance communication and cooperation with emergency and duty services?
Problem description
The psychiatric network of the region of Ghent is enormously expanded. There are numerous hospitals, organisations and services that focus on care for patients with a mental problem or illness. Therefore, the complete picture is often very unclear. If communication would be possible between all the different channels, all the services would have a better view on waiting lists, possibilities and limitations. For a mobile crisis team the communicating with emergency and standby services seems to be a primary operating point
Impact - effect
The cooperation between the services in the acute care pathway is not optimal, and this does not benefit the patient. He can fall by the wayside, he can be offered residential care while this might not even be necessary
To do
To do: although the gatekeeper function of IHT team (NHN) still has some teething problems, it is certainly inspiring already. Within the IHT team (Intensive Home Treatment) a SPV (community psychiatric nurse) takes the role of gatekeeper / 3rd guard. This means the SPV participates in the consultation meetings in the hospital, informs the hospital team about the possibilities of the IHT and if necessary formulates recommendations to the psychiatrist. During the morning meeting all crisis admissions are communicated to the IHT by the “3rd guard”, who will see the patient the same day or within the week (depending on the need). We think it’s definitely worthwhile to consider a variant in Ghent (MCT – Psychiatric Emergency Unit of the University Hospital). See p. 7 Hyperlink (gatekeeping IHT)
Hyperlink
Theme
Starting up and further development/deployment of mobile teams
Topic
critical success factors for starting up and further development/deployment
Référence – contact
Kristien Desmettre
Mobile team
2a
Project
Gent-Eeklo (PAKT)
Intership abroad - place
Noord-Holland-Noord (IHT)
Date
February 2015
