Telepsychiatry What is Telepsychiatry Telepsychiatry Services provided by

Telepsychiatry

What is Telepsychiatry • Telepsychiatry : – Services provided by a Psychiatrist, Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurse from a remote location over a secure, two-way interactive teleconferencing equipment. • Telemedicine Privileges: – The authorization granted to physicians/psychiatrist/advance practice nurse to render a diagnosis or otherwise provide clinical treatment to a consumer via technology protocol (Authorization via Malpractice Company, CCT Medical Staff Committee and registration with Medicaid NJ

Why are we embracing such technology? • Shortage of Psychiatrist and ASAM certified Physicians/APN’s in New Jersey • Technology is available that is HIPAA compliant • Alternative service to offer to consumers

Is this technology acceptable? • Yes - New Jersey law supports Telepsychiatry ( Approved 2013) • Yes - Department of Health/DMHAS approval of Policies and Procedures • Yes - Council on Accreditation (COA) has standards that we need to adhere to • Yes - Catholic Charities has Leadership approval, policies and procedures and staff training program

Benefits and Risks for the Consumer? Benefits: • Improved access to care by enabling the consumer to remain within the facility and obtain services from providers not on site. • Consumer remains closer to home where local healthcare providers can maintain continuity of care. • Avoidance of crisis visit to local emergency room Risks: A provider may determine that the telepsychiatry encounter is not yielding sufficient information to make an appropriate decision. • Technology problems (equipment failure or disconnection) may delay medical. • Risk of miscommunication or misunderstanding between the provider and the consumer. • Consumer may feel uncomfortable with the session and withdraw your consent. •

Quality of Care • Prior to the visit, health care provider will have access to the consumer records and will review notes, treatment plans and assessments in order to provide continuity of care. • Provider and support staff will ensure that the standard of care delivered via Telepsychiatry is equivalent to any other type of care that can be delivered face-to-face to the consumer. • Health Care providers are responsible for maintaining professional discipline and clinical guidelines in the delivery of care • All documentation is completed as if the consumer was present on-site for an office visit. • All staff need to be trained on the teleconference equipment and be able to trouble shoot problems.

Consumer Consent • Informed consent must be obtained and documented in the consumer’s record. • Consumers have the right not to participate and if so, they are made aware of other face to face options and services. • The consent consists of: Review of the process, introduction of provider/consumer, benefits/risks, confidentiality, emergency/safety plan, the withdraw of consent and alternative services.

Emergency – Safety Plan • Prior to the visit or during the first visit, an emergencysafety plan will be developed • Provider and staff members must be aware of the programs emergency procedures, contacts, crisis center etc. , and have such numbers readily available. • Family members contact information and/or support contact information is to be available to the provider and support staff during the teleconferencing visit. • Providers/staff will need to be prepared if the consumer does not cooperate with their emergency plan. Staff will utilize 9 -1 -1 and/or the local crisis response team.

Teleconferencing Equipment: ZOOM – HIPAA Compliant • Real time video and audio communications • Information security with encryptiondecryption tunnel between provider and consumer • Ensures confidentiality and integrity of all transmissions. • Access restrictions with unique user identification and password protected • Management oversight via management reports of usage and access • No video recording of sessions

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