SPOTLIGHT
Study Finds Early Discharge from a State Psychiatric Hospital is the Most Reliable Predictor of Readmission within 30 Days
A study published in the July-August issue of the Journal for Health Care Quality finds that length of stay in a state psychiatric hospital is the strongest predictor of re-hospitalization within 30 days. An increase in the length of stay from 31 to 89 days was found by the NASMHPD Research Institute (NRI)’s Principal Biostatistician Glorimar Ortiz in a study funded by NRI to be associated with a 25 percent reduction in the proportion of discharges with rapid readmission. Read more.
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Harnessing The Power Of Analytics To Create Innovative Solutions For Complex Consumers
On June 5, 2019, at the 2019 OPEN MINDS Strategy & Innovation Institute, Lynda M. Zeller, Senior Program Officer, Behavioral Health, Michigan Health Endowment Fund and Vice President of the NRI Board of Directors reviewed the big policy changes and industry trends shaping the market; and discussed how provider organizations can utilize data analytics to build a meaningful strategy and operational practices; and offered her perspective on the future of care delivery and coordination for the complex consumer market. Her presentation slides are available.
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CMS Releases Two Guidance Memoranda on the Application of EMTALA to Psychiatric Hospitals
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has released two new guidance memoranda designed to assist psychiatric hospitals in complying with the Emergency referred by the CMS Regional Office to the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) for evaluation and potential investigation. Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). Read more.
CMS Approves Two New State Medicaid Demonstrations to Treat Substance Use Disorders and Combat National Opioid Epidemic
On June 28, 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved Minnesota and Nebraska’s 1115 Medicaid demonstration waiver to expand addiction treatment via enhanced mental health services provided by both the state’s Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), and short-term residential treatment benefits. Read more.
IRS Expands Preventive Care Benefits Permitted to be Paid for with a High Deductible Health Plan’s Health Savings Account to Include Medications for Chronic Diseases, including SSRIs for Depression
The Department of the Treasury, in a guidance published July 18, expanded the preventive care benefits that can be paid for with the funds in a high deductible health plan’s Health Savings Account (HSA) prior to the deductible being reached to include 14 categories of medications for chronic diseases, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) used to treat depression. Learn more.
CMS Refreshes Medicaid and CHIP Scorecard
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a data refresh of the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Scorecard to reflect states’ progress in increasing their reporting of patients’ health outcomes, particularly related to behavioral health. Read more.
Joint Commission Standard Requires Behavioral Health Organizations to Use Valid Instrument To Track Progress During Treatment
The Joint Commission now has a standard in the Care, Treatment and Services (CTS) chapter for behavioral health organizations that requires those organizations to assess outcomes through the use of a standardized tool or instrument. Read more.
Nevada Passes Justice Reinvestment Bill Aimed at Addressing Behavioral Health Needs and Reducing Recidivism
Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak signed Assembly Bill 236, a Justice Reinvestment bill that aims to rebalance the use of criminal justice resources and invest in strategies that reduce recidivism, support law enforcement, and expand access to behavioral health services. Read more.
Mental Health Agency Serving More Oklahomans, Seeing Better Recovery Outcomes
Oklahoma's mental health agency is serving 37% more people than 10 years ago — with the same amount of state dollars — and achieving better outcomes. Read more.
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Study Pinpoints Activities Associated With Reduced Risk of Cognitive Decline
Mentally stimulating activities like using a computer, playing games, crafting, and participating in social activities were associated with a lower risk of mild cognitive impairment in older people, a study published in Neurology has found. Read more.
Natural Language Processing Algorithm Identifies More Suicides Among Older Adults in Long-Term Care Settings
Adults 55 and over associated with long-term care facilities may be at an elevated risk of suicide, according to new research published in JAMA Network Open. Read more.
Frequent Use of Medications for Sleep May Increase Dementia Risk, Especially Among Older White Adults
Frequent use of sleep medications appears to be associated with increased long-term risk of dementia, particularly among older white adults, according to research presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Los Angeles. Read more.
Inpatient Stays Involving Mental and Substance Use Disorders, 2016
Of the 35.7 million total inpatient stays in 2016, nearly 10 million (28%) had a primary or secondary behavioral health diagnosis. Of these nearly 10 million inpatient stays, 2.2 million had a primary behavioral health diagnosis, representing 6.1% of total inpatient stays. Read more.
Cognitive Decline After Onset of Psychosis Varies Across Cognitive Functions
Patients with schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders continue to experience cognitive decline for years after illness onset, according to a study in AJP in Advance. Read more.
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FREE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
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JULY 29: Addressing the Intersection of Serious Mental Illness and Suicide in Healthcare
This webinar will provide an overview of the relationship between SMI and suicide, highlight some of the resources available to support health and behavioral healthcare organizations in their care for individuals with serious mental illness, as well as how to assist their loved ones. Register now.
JULY 30: The Intersection of Substance Use Disorders, Opioid Misuse, Overdose, and Suicide: Understanding the Connection, Part 1
This webinar is part one of a two-part series presented in collaboration with the Great Lakes Preventive Technology Transfer Center Network (PTTC) and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center. Part 1 will present the complicated relationship between substance use disorders and suicidal thinking and behaviors. Presenters will explore the implications of this information for prevention and early intervention, including opportunities for collaboration. Register now.
AUGUST 1: Discharge and Step-Down in Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) for Persons with a First Episode of Psychosis – Part I
This SAMHSA-Sponsored webinar will provide an overview of the current findings regarding longer term outcomes for persons being discharged from FEP programs; a presentation of an important recent randomized trial evaluating alternative discharge strategies (2 year versus extended CSC services); and a discussion from two CSC programs regarding their experiences with a two year limit on FEP enrollment and the strategies that they have used to address concerns. Register now.
AUGUST 5: Evolution of Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT)
During this SAMSHA-sponsored webinar, participants will learn about AOT and its evolution over the years. Dr. Marvin Swartz, M.D. will discuss different approaches to AOT and highlight states that are effectively utilizing AOT models. Register now.
AUGUST 5: Implementing Medication-assisted Treatment in Drug Court Settings
This webinar covers fundamental concepts for implementing medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in drug court settings. Considerations for courts transitioning to offering MAT will be discussed, including funding. Register now.
AUGUST 6: Implementing Effective Systems of Care for Children, Youth, and Transition-Aged Youth With or At-Risk of SED in Rural Communities
This SAMSHA-sponsored webinar will discuss the challenges, successes, and lessons learned from their experiences in the implementation of effective rural Systems of Care. Discussion will include research findings related to engaging students and families in rural educational settings, cultural considerations, and strategies for engaging youth in remote communities. Register now.
AUGUST 7: Innovations in Telemedicine Platforms to Assist the Treatment and Recovery of People with Serious
This SAMSHA-sponsored webinar will highlight the experience and benefits of collaborative efforts between law enforcement and a large behavioral health system in utilizing technology to address the growing number of mental health calls in the nation’s fourth largest county; and will provide a discussion of the needs driving this innovative approach, the goals of the project, and the recognized challenges and benefits of this strategy. Register now.
AUGUST 8: Organizational and Systems Readiness for Ensuring Access to Appropriate Care Levels
This webinar, the third in the three-part series, will provide state mental health policymakers, local mental health systems, and treatment providers with an introduction to a proposed Older Adult System of Care Framework. The session will also introduce a tool designed to assess system and organizational readiness across domains within the proposed System of Care Framework and identify support needs to prepare states to develop effective services. Register now.
AUGUST 14: Group Reminiscence for Older Adults with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) by Elder Peers
This SAMSHA-Sponsored webinar will discuss how reminiscence therapy can be used as psychosocial intervention in dementia care, anxiety and depression for Older Adults. Register now.
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Mental and Substance Use Disorder Practitioner Data (Deadline: August 12, 2019)
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2019 Mental and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Practitioner Data grant. The purpose of this program is to provide comprehensive data and analysis on individuals who comprise the prevention and treatment fields to address mental and substance use disorders. The goal of the program is to provide valid data on the existing practitioners and usable information to SAMHSA on which to make policy and planning decisions. Learn more.
Mental and Substance Use Disorders Prevalence Study (Deadline: August 16, 2019)
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2019 Mental and Substance Use Disorders Prevalence Study. The purpose of this grant program is to ensure that these gaps in surveillance are addressed through a pilot program which assists in estimating the actual number of individuals living with mental and substance use disorders, including those of the greatest severity. Learn more.
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HELPFUL LINKS AND RESOURCES
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This guide from SAMHSA-HRSA’s Center for Integrated Health Solutions presents four steps for safety-net and other primary care providers to integrate behavioral health services and achieve sustainable integrated care models. https://integrationedge.readz.com/overview-and-step-1--operational-and-administrativ
New Toolkit Offers Ways to Evaluate Suicide Prevention Efforts in Arctic Communities
Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Methods for Using Data to Inform Practice: A Step-by-Step Guide
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David Shern, Ph.D., President
Lynda Zeller, Vice President
Lisa Clements, Ph.D., Treasurer
Ann Marie Sullivan, M.D., Secretary
Members At Large
Lorrie Jones, Ph.D., Past President, Joyce Allen, M.S.W., Barbara Bazron, Ph.D., Sheri Dawson, Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., Judy Fitzgerald, Ron Manderscheid, Ph.D., Joe Parks, M.D., Matthew Salo, Dena Stoner, Katherine Warburton, M.D.
Executive Leadership
Tim Knettler, M.B.A., CAE, Executive Director/CEO, Board Member, Ex-Officio
Ted Lutterman, Government & Commercial Research
Lucille Schacht, Ph.D., Performance & Quality Improvement
Vera Hollen, M.A., Research and Consulting |
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