Spooner Health Shows Commitment to Mental Health with New Telepsychiatry Assessments

There’s no doubt that mental health issues are a concern in Washburn County. According to Spooner Health’s 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment, conducted in partnership with the Washburn County Health Department, mental health issues were identified in the community survey as one of the top two health problems affecting those living in our communities.

In response to this well-known issue, Spooner Health recently partnered with Integrated Telehealth Partners (ITP) to provide assessments and consultations to Emergency Department patients. This partnership allows ITP’s board-certified psychiatric providers to assess a patient experiencing an acute mental health episode and determine the best treatment options needed to stabilize the patient. It’s important to note that the actual treatment would take place through other services. The role of ITP at Spooner Health is to consult with providers specially trained in psychiatric illnesses.

How does it work? The Emergency Department’s nursing team connects a patient with an ITP provider through the use of an iPad. This allows the patient to receive a real-time psychiatric evaluation to determine their immediate needs and the appropriate level of care they require. The assessment will help guide the patient in their treatment journey.

Who can use the system? Only registered patients of Spooner Health can use the system. While the primary use is in the Emergency Department, it can also be used for other patients who are admitted to the hospital.