Patients Access Behavioral Health Care Virtually
One in five adults experience mental illness each year, and less than half receive treatment for their condition, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. But in the Capital Region, a partnership between the Albany Med Health System and behavioral health provider aptihealth is helping connect patients to mental health services, with the goal of improving their health and outcomes.
In 2020, Glens Falls Hospital began working with aptihealth, a value-based care provider with headquarters in Saratoga Springs.
“At the height of the pandemic, we partnered with aptihealth to create a seamless connection between medical and mental health care through a confidential online platform,” said Sean Bain, MD, vice president for medical affairs and chief medical officer at Glens Falls Hospital. “Patients can access quality care from the privacy of their home at their own convenience, eliminating many barriers to care.”
By 2023, in addition to other mental health services, all System campuses were offering aptihealth services to patients in need of emotional and mental health support.
Emergency Department Focus
As the associate medical director for value-based care, Diana Mosquera, MD, evaluates and develops strategies to improve health care services throughout the System.
Dr. Mosquera, an anesthesiologist, explained her approach to analyzing internal trends, asking, “How do we keep patients at home and healthy, and avoid readmissions? What can we do better to get patients the care they need?”
The Emergency Department at Albany Medical Center was an obvious focus area, and the ED team began connecting patients with issues related to social determinants of health or substance use disorders to mental health services. This quickly expanded to units throughout the hospital, with aptihealth’s on-site navigator meeting with patients to discuss care plans and next steps.
Within days of leaving the hospital, patients connect with a behavioral health provider, leading to increased patient satisfaction and a decrease in hospital readmissions. Approximately 100 Albany Medical Center patients are referred to aptihealth monthly through the care navigator.
Since the launch of the electronic health record Epic at Albany Medical Center this spring, the referral process has become more streamlined.
“All trauma patients are screened for acute stress and now as part of the trauma work flow, we can refer patients right within Epic, quickly connecting them to mental health services,” said Kerrie Snyder, RN, manager of the Adult Trauma Program. “This makes the referral process more efficient and helps our trauma patients connect and begin to process their post-traumatic stress, a critical part of their recovery.”
Support for Employees
Industry-wide, health care workers report anxiety, depression, and burnout at higher rates than five years ago.
“Our workforce is dedicated to delivering the best care for our patients, and as leaders, we are committed to seeking out ways to connect our colleagues to any needed support,” said Sandra Castilla, vice president for human resources and chief human resources officer for Albany Medical Center.
Through a collaboration between CDPHP and the System, aptihealth offers access to a confidential, virtual mental health care platform that provides emotional and mental health care support for employees enrolled in the Systen’s health plan and their family members over the age of 5.
To date, 425 System employees have participated, and 100 are currently enrolled.
As with other referred patients, employees who sign up for aptihealth will be connected within 48 hours with a licensed therapist, who will conduct an online assessment to understand the patient’s needs.
The patient and therapist then create a personalized care plan to improve mental health within 90 days, that includes: weekly online video sessions; if recommended, a prescriber added to the care team, with biweekly sessions; secure direct messaging between patients and therapists; and 24/7 support services.
“Our commitment to health care workers is twofold,” said Alex Marsal, PhD, chief clinical officer and co-founder of aptihealth. “First by partnering with health care organizations to care for patients, and two, offering our mental health services to health care workers as they navigate stressful environments.”