PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Sentara Health is expanding their services for behavioral health as more patients seek treatment at emergency departments, or EDs.

As the number of inpatient beds for psychiatric hospitals have become more scarce, patients are being ‘boarded’ in hospitals’ EDs instead of having full access to the necessary resources. The new protocols Sentara plans to implement for its outpatient services is meant to help reduce the demand for ED services.

“Sentara is joining with community providers across the state to improve access to care and services,” said Nedra Moncrief-Craig, director of behavioral health services for Sentara Health. “Virginia’s hospitals are also working together to address the growth in the behavioral health population in order to serve our most vulnerable patients better.”

Some of the ways Sentara plans to improve its services are:

• Implemented a BH TelePsych service for quicker evaluations and treatment plans
• Centralized call center
• Redesigned BH spaces in emergency departments (EDs) to enhance safety for patients and staff
• Increased Staffing
• SOBR opioid program
• Quick access to addiction treatment
• ED triage protocol
• Expanded Intensive Outpatient Therapy
• Expanded Partial Hospitalization Program
• Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS)
• Children’s mental health research grant

A multi-disciplinary Sentara team has been working across 12 hospitals, five free-standing EDs and Sentara outpatient programs to make lasting enhancements to BH services.