Admission
Requests are received by telephone and walk in. All requests are documented on the Centers “Request for Services Form”. The documentation of information to determine eligibility begins with the initial contact with staff. The individual requesting services, family/support systems, and referral source are potential resources to provide information related to the request for services. More than one call/contact may be involved in getting pertinent information.
If the individual believes their problems to be emergent the call/contact will be sent directly to the Crisis Intervention staff. That staff member will assess the person over the phone and if the problem is emergent then the person will be encouraged to come to the center and be seen as a walk in. After 4:00 p.m. they will be referred to Aurora for screening and assessment with Aurora’s approval. Emergency Services will be responsible for walk-ins and emergencies. If Emergency Services is not available, then available staff will assess the client.
Specified staff will review the Initial Telephone Contacts daily and call the contact persons with an appointment or referral information. Based on the information gathered, staff will schedule an assessment appointment with an Aiken-Barnwell therapist or make referral(s) to other resources. If unsure about the individual’s eligibility a clinical program director will help determine the person’s eligibility. Assessments will be scheduled for individuals if their eligibility for services cannot be readily determined.
The assessment process will be used to determine if Aiken-Barnwell has appropriate services for the person. During this process an Initial Clinical Assessment will be completed. If the client meets criteria for admission to Aiken-Barnwell a Plan of Care will be completed next and a Psychiatric Medical Assessment will be scheduled. Persons not appropriate for services at Aiken-Barnwell must be referred to resources within the community if deemed appropriate.
A treatment team staffing will be conducted to help with cases that are unclear as to whether the person meets eligibility criteria and to staff cases. The treatment team will consist of a doctor and the therapist.
Records will be maintained for all persons deemed ineligible for services at the time of request and as the result of assessment. The medical director and a clinical program director are available throughout the day for consultation. Bimonthly review and staffing meetings will provide oversight of the admission criteria to insure clinical appropriateness and objective application of criteria. Data will be monitored for trends for the purpose of training and program planning.