The Behavioral Health RoundTable of Cuyahoga County is Addressing Behavioral Health Needs on Multiple Fronts in 2014

News provided by

The Center for Health Affairs

May 06, 2014, 10:30 ET

Cleveland, Ohio (PRWEB) May 06, 2014 -- The Behavioral Health RoundTable of Cuyahoga County has been actively working to address the region’s behavioral health needs in 2014. Work being conducted by the RoundTable includes the following:

  • Exploring the possibility of gathering real-time data on psychiatric readmissions within 30 days.
  • Examining strategies for population management for specific sub-groups of patients including the elderly and those with a dual diagnosis of a psychiatric illness and a developmental disability or a dual diagnosis of a psychiatric illness and a substance abuse issue.
  • Assessing and planning relative to the behavioral health workforce.
  • Addressing behavioral health needs identified through Community Health Needs Assessments.
  • Exploring re-entry challenges (e.g. housing, jobs, insurance) of people with behavioral health diagnoses who are leaving prison and returning to their communities.

The Behavioral Health RoundTable of Cuyahoga County was formed in late 2007 when hospital leaders voiced their concerns regarding the extended wait times for psychiatric patients in hospital emergency departments. In 2008, through the support and encouragement of Bill Denihan, the CEO of the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board of Cuyahoga County, the RoundTable became a public-private collaborative. This group of leaders from the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities, community mental health agencies, managed care agencies, hospital inpatient psychiatric units and emergency departments in Cuyahoga County work together to identify issues impacting the delivery of care for patients with behavioral health needs.

If you have questions about the Behavioral Health RoundTable of Cuyahoga County, please contact Pam Waite via email or at 216.255.3650.

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As the leading advocate for Northeast Ohio hospitals, The Center for Health Affairs provides members with vital services and resources aimed at enhancing the region’s healthcare community. The Center delivers on this goal by focusing its efforts on areas that benefit from a regional approach: Healthcare Workforce; Emergency Preparedness; Public Policy & Advocacy; Finance & Reimbursement; and Community Initiatives. With a rich history as the Northeast Ohio hospital association, dating back to 1916, The Center serves as the collective voice of hospitals and the source for Northeast Ohio hospital and healthcare information. As leaders, we continuously scan the periphery, looking for opportunities to enhance the region’s workforce, better prepare our hospitals for an emergency, and increase the region’s wage index. And because of our business affiliation with CHAMPS Healthcare, we have the resources to provide a broad level of professional services to our members. The Center, located in downtown Cleveland, is proud to advocate on behalf of 38 acute-care hospitals and two long-term acute-care hospitals in six counties. For more, visit chanet.org.

Deanna Moore, The Center for Health Affairs, http://www.chanet.org, +1 216.255.3614, [email protected]