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H. 3712
STATUS INFORMATION
Concurrent Resolution
Sponsors: Rep. G.M. Smith
Document Path: l:\council\bills\rm\1138cz15.docx
Introduced in the House on February 24, 2015
Introduced in the Senate on February 24, 2015
Adopted by the General Assembly on February 24, 2015
Summary: Emergency Department Telepsychiatry Consultation Program
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number
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2/24/2015 House Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate
(House Journal-page 13)
2/24/2015 Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence
(Senate Journal-page 13)
View the latest legislative information at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
TO CONGRATULATE THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH'S EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT TELEPSYCHIATRY CONSULTATION PROGRAM ON BEING NAMED AS PART OF THE 2015 BRIGHT IDEAS PROGRAM BY THE HARVARD UNIVERSITY ASH CENTER FOR DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE AND INNOVATION AT THE JOHN F. KENNEDY SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT.
Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is pleased to learn that the South Carolina Department of Mental Health's Emergency Department Telepsychiatry Consultation Program has been named as part of the 2015 Bright Ideas program by the Harvard University Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government; and
Whereas, the Telepsychiatry Consultation Program is among one hundred twenty-four programs selected as this year's Bright Ideas, which come from all levels of government and are at the forefront in innovative government action; and
Whereas, with initial funding from the Duke Endowment, the Department of Mental Health (DMH) launched its Telepsychiatry Consultation Program in April 2009 under the leadership of State Director John H. Magill. This innovative program utilizes real-time state-of-the-art video-and-voice technology that connects DMH psychiatrists to hospital emergency departments throughout the State for addressing the critical shortage of psychiatrists in South Carolina's underserved areas. The program has proven highly effective in assisting hospital emergency rooms to provide appropriate treatment to patients in a behavioral crisis; and
Whereas, since its inception, the program has provided more than twenty thousand psychiatric consultations in emergency departments across South Carolina and has received numerous awards for innovation, including the American Psychiatric Association's Silver Award (2011), and the South Carolina Office of Rural Health's Annual Award (2012); and
Whereas, the program currently provides psychiatrist consultations to emergency departments in twenty hospitals in South Carolina. Independent studies have shown that the program is improving patient care and reducing costs. Expert assessment and timely treatment speed patient recovery and shorten length of stay, substantially lowering hospital costs; and
Whereas, for consideration as a Bright Idea, programs must be currently in operation or in the process of launching, have sufficient operational resources, and be administered by one or more governmental entities. Bright Ideas are showcased on the Ash Center's Government Innovators Network, an online platform for practitioners and policymakers to share innovative public-policy solutions; and
Whereas, the General Assembly is proud to add its collective praise to the many encomiums now being received by the DMH on this latest honor, the naming of its Telepsychiatry Consultation Program as a Harvard Ash Center Bright Idea in Government. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, congratulate the South Carolina Department of Mental Health's Emergency Department Telepsychiatry Consultation Program on being named as part of the 2015 Bright Ideas program by the Harvard University Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to the South Carolina Department of Mental Health.
This web page was last updated on February 26, 2015 at 10:31 AM