This seems to have garnered no attention but appears to correlate to several instances where our mental health system has failed to protect either individuals from themselves or to protect society in general. Here's why:
http://kfor.com/2012/08/22/doctor-wants-better-care-for-mental-health-patients/
Spread that around on your Facebook etc.
OKLAHOMA CITY An Oklahoma mental health professional said we have a serious mental health problem in our state.
He said patients arent getting enough care, often being sent away from a hospital when they are in a crisis situation.
Psychiatrist Willis Holloway said, We have patients who have presented to our ER on three different occasions in crisis and been denied access.
Holloway works as a psychiatrist at St. Anthony Hospitals Center for Behavioral Medicine.
He said hes concerned about the level of care mental health care patients in Oklahoma.
He said too often cases of those with state assistance are being denied based on a state doctors review.
Holloway said, Hes never seen the patient, never treated the patient and, frankly, Im not sure has even looked at the paperwork weve sent in because frequently the responses dont correlate very well.
Dr. Holloway feels the focus is no longer on the patient but the bottom line.
He blames the Oklahoma Health Care Authority.
Oklahomas Medicaid Director Garth Splinter said, I dont agree with the assessment that we have changed things in a way that would result in more stringent criteria for admission.
Splinter said appropriate care has always been the states focus.
He said, We have, over the last several years, been trying to move patients from inpatient care to outpatient care. Its better for the patients; its better for tax payers.
Holloway said, Theyre basically trying to force our hand to put these patients on large doses of medication whether appropriate or not and then just ship them back into the community. I dont find this appropriate.
Holloway feels patients arent getting enough care and that sending them back in to the community so quickly could be a dangerous move.
The Oklahoma Health Care Authority said they have two psychiatrists as well as a team of behavioral health specialists who review every case to decide if inpatient care is necessary.
Splinter said if a doctor disagrees with the recommendation they do have the right to appeal and further state why they feel a different level of care is necessary.
http://kfor.com/2012/08/22/doctor-wants-better-care-for-mental-health-patients/
Spread that around on your Facebook etc.
OKLAHOMA CITY An Oklahoma mental health professional said we have a serious mental health problem in our state.
He said patients arent getting enough care, often being sent away from a hospital when they are in a crisis situation.
Psychiatrist Willis Holloway said, We have patients who have presented to our ER on three different occasions in crisis and been denied access.
Holloway works as a psychiatrist at St. Anthony Hospitals Center for Behavioral Medicine.
He said hes concerned about the level of care mental health care patients in Oklahoma.
He said too often cases of those with state assistance are being denied based on a state doctors review.
Holloway said, Hes never seen the patient, never treated the patient and, frankly, Im not sure has even looked at the paperwork weve sent in because frequently the responses dont correlate very well.
Dr. Holloway feels the focus is no longer on the patient but the bottom line.
He blames the Oklahoma Health Care Authority.
Oklahomas Medicaid Director Garth Splinter said, I dont agree with the assessment that we have changed things in a way that would result in more stringent criteria for admission.
Splinter said appropriate care has always been the states focus.
He said, We have, over the last several years, been trying to move patients from inpatient care to outpatient care. Its better for the patients; its better for tax payers.
Holloway said, Theyre basically trying to force our hand to put these patients on large doses of medication whether appropriate or not and then just ship them back into the community. I dont find this appropriate.
Holloway feels patients arent getting enough care and that sending them back in to the community so quickly could be a dangerous move.
The Oklahoma Health Care Authority said they have two psychiatrists as well as a team of behavioral health specialists who review every case to decide if inpatient care is necessary.
Splinter said if a doctor disagrees with the recommendation they do have the right to appeal and further state why they feel a different level of care is necessary.
