DeLand, FL - Florida Hospital DeLand is introducing technology that allows psychiatrists to round remotely so they can treat patients with mental health issues more quickly.
In addition to utilizing the new technology, psychiatrists will continue to physically round the emergency department daily. Often, mental health conditions and chemical dependency can result in unpredictable symptoms. The new technology helps psychiatrists to see and treat patients at any time.
Florida Hospital DeLand’s Behavioral Health unit sees around 500 admissions annually. The unit includes four beds for substance abuse patients and six beds for mental health patients 18 years of age and older. Florida Hospital DeLand is one of the very few facilities in central Florida that admits patients with substance abuse as a primary diagnosis.
Florida Hospital DeLand’s Behavioral Health Services unit is directed by psychiatrist Dr. Luis Allen and is staffed with other psychiatrists, behavioral health workers, therapists and psychiatric nurses who work to treat psychiatric symptoms and provide a safe way to detox. They treat all mental health and substance abuse issues including but not limited to anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia.
“Behavioral health continues to be a critical concern for the community,” said Allen. “With the availability of tele-mental health services, properly designed, we are leaping into the future to address today’s challenges, ensuring services are on hand when needed by removing time [24/7 availability] and space constraints. This technology increases the accessibility of the physician to the community and patients under a Baker Act.”
Photo of Dr. Luis Allen courtesy of Florida Hospital DeLand.
Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2018.
