Month: January 2024

Newman Memorial Hospital’s Senior Life Solutions Program Named Among Nation’s “Great Psychiatry Programs”

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Becker’s Hospital Review included Newman Memorial Hospital’s Senior Life Solutions Program on the first edition of its “Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Psychiatry and Mental Health Programs” list.

“Recognition on the national stage of healthcare is a true testament to the hard work, experience, innovation, and dedication of our team,” said Joey Burgtorf, chief operating officer of Newman Memorial Hospital. “They are in the trenches fighting to touch, transition, and enrich lives every day.  Their victories are usually quiet ones that are only celebrated internally in their department. It’s wonderful to see this kind of recognition for the quality and uniqueness of our program.”

Senior Life Solutions is an outpatient program that combines psychiatry, group therapy, and individual therapy to support older adults who are experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, grief, or other mental health challenges. The hospital-based program, which is managed by Psychiatric Medical Care (PMC), opened at Newman Memorial Hospital in Shattuck, Okla. in the spring of 2022.

“I think it’s important for hospitals and healthcare systems to analyze the needs of their community and patient population,” Burgtorf said. “If you have a large 65+ community and a lack of mental health resources in your area, SLS could be a very good fit for your organization.  This program is ideally suited for Critical Access Hospitals due to the structure of cost reporting.  When you can find a program that is beneficial to your patients and can have a positive impact on the financial health of your facility, it’s a win-win.  Partnering with PMC gives your administration the assurance that compliance and quality metrics are being met.”

The Newman Memorial Hospital program was named PMC’s “Rookie of the Year” program in 2023 for making a positive impact on the community and demonstrating a commitment to compliance, quality, and patient-centered care. Senior Life Solutions at Newman Memorial Hospital includes a board-certified psychiatrist, RN program director, licensed therapist, and office/patient coordinator.

“Our success is attributed to the compassion we extend to our patients, creating an environment for them to grow and acquire new coping or communication skills applicable to their daily lives,” said Crystal Gulley, Senior Life Solutions program director. “We are grateful to be part of such an exceptional community and express our appreciation to PMC and Newman Memorial Hospital for their unwavering support.”

To curate the list, Becker’s accepted nominations and took into consideration current service lines, expansions, funding, recent accomplishments, recognitions, and awards earned from other publications.

“Through this list, Becker’s aims to highlight the efforts, programs, and initiatives of hospitals and health systems across the U.S.,” said Anna Falvey, list writer for Becker’s Hospital Review. “This is not a ranking or a rating, but instead an opportunity to spotlight organizations making an impact on their communities.”

About Senior Life Solutions

Gulley said the Senior Life Solutions program’s goal is to consistently incorporate the three pillars of care, compliance, and community while adhering to PMC’s mission of enhancing the function and quality of life for our patients and fostering enthusiastic partnerships within our communities.

Program participants attend three group therapy sessions each week, and meet on a regular basis with a psychiatrist, and therapist for individual assessment and medication management. A majority of participants who complete the program experience a 36% overall improvement as measured with the geriatric depression scale and Zung anxiety scale. Senior Life Solutions helps participants gain the coping and communication skills to live a healthier, happier life.

“We recognize that by delivering optimal patient care, adhering to State and Federal guidelines, and cultivating relationships within our communities, we can sustain our success as a program,” she said.

PMC continues to identify hospitals in rural markets where behavioral health services for older adults are needed. If you’re interested in partnering with PMC contact us today. Our business development team can answer questions about the Senior Life Solutions program and supply your hospital with a cost analysis and revenue forecast.

Healthcare Leaders Address the Increasing Need for Mental Health Services

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Psychiatric Medical Care’s chief executive officer, J.R. Greene shared his thoughts about how mental health treatment can be more accessible as the need for behavioral healthcare continues to rise. Below is an excerpt from the article “Changing Behaviors” which was published by Healthcare Executive.

Click here to view a printable PDF of the entire article.

Excerpt of “Changing Behaviors” Featuring J.R. Greene

J.R. Greene, FACHE, CEO, Psychiatric Medical Care, Nashville, Tenn., points to the paucity and ambiguity of funding sources. Founded in 1992 by Greene’s father, James A. Greene, MD, the mental health management organization partners with more than 250 facilities in 34 states—historically focused on rural areas but recently moving into urban markets as well—to provide outpatient, inpatient, telehealth and pediatric psychiatry services.

“The funding has not universally been at a rate that would motivate many practitioners to become behavioral health experts compared to other specialties,” he says. And payers don’t have the same hard data about the costs of behavioral health treatment as they would, say, for a hip replacement. “We don’t know the exact costs associated with treating various mental disorders,” he adds. “As an example, we can’t tell someone with adult bipolar illness that they will need a certain type of treatment for a very strict amount of time, at a set industry cost. [That] ambiguity of behavioral health treatment disrupts the funding mechanisms. Insurance providers want to see consistent data to know their realistic estimated cost by treatment. Behavioral doesn’t have this near perfect sophisticated capability—yet.”

Greene recommends continued investment in patient data and outcomes, along with the right expertise, which involves not just recruitment but also retention of behavioral health providers—along with adequate training to bring it about. Virtual care should be encouraged whenever possible to ensure wider access, with the caveat that acute needs will still need to be handled in person, he says. “Leaders across all of healthcare need to become more comfortable with a virtual or hybrid level of mental healthcare,” he adds. 

Other steps to improving access include advocating for more complete insurance coverage and working to reduce the stigma around mental healthcare, Greene says. One local success he’s seen involves a youth soccer team that has previously seemed hesitant to adopt Psychiatric Medical Care as its sponsor accepting the sponsorship this year, even placing the medical company’s logo on the players’ jerseys.

Any internal effort begins with—but should not be limited to—an employee assistance plan, Greene says. About 36% of Psychiatric Medical Care employees leveraged that benefit in 2022, with many of them using the teletherapy option, he says. Greene agrees that reducing the stigma around behavioral health is a key ingredient internally, as well.

Bridging these gaps is essential for people to get coordinated care, which requires not only human communication but also electronic interoperability to ensure a seamless flow of data, Greene says. “It’s building the relationships—and sharing the information and outcomes,” he says. “We’ve been able to do a lot of this because we work with FQHCs, community mental health centers, academic centers and hospitals themselves.” Information about outcomes can help build the data and algorithms that insurers want, he adds.

“The outcomes we’ve gathered vary based on the patient population, but we work with our partners to share access to key data points that drive care, reduce recidivism and improve outcomes,” Greene says. “A few key data points we collect and share include polypharmacy usage, ED visits for mental health crises, reduction in ED visits over time with mental healthcare access, patient outcomes from evidence-based testing and continuing care instructions between care teams.”

Coping With Community Violence: Mental Health Resources

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Emotions after a shooting can be difficult to process.

Many of us find it difficult to process acts of community violence, especially a school shooting. We question the perpetrator’s motives. We wonder how law enforcement handled the situation. We ask “Why here? Why now?” We think about how safe we really are.

It’s normal to experience strong feelings of fear, dread, sorrow and even guilt after an act of community violence. Even people who were not directly impacted by a shooting can develop symptoms of emotional distress. You may feel shock, anger, grief and disillusionment. You might have trouble concentrating, eating or sleeping. This reaction is common and in most cases will pass. Most of us rely on family and friends as a support network. We talk about the tragedy that took place, try to comfort each other and reach a sense of understanding that things will soon get back to normal.

Some people find it harder to cope with acts of community violence than others. Their distress may impact their ability to function normally. Children may struggle with these events. Whether they witnessed a shooting, saw it on social media or heard about it from friends, they often feel scared, unsafe and confused about what happened.

Use the resources below to find a mental health provider, get tips for managing distress after a shooting and learn how to talk to children about community violence.

Resources to Help Cope with Community Violence, Including Mass Shootings

Mental Health Services:

Guides and Tips:

Taking Care of Yourself

You may wonder how to go on with your daily life after the school shooting. Here are some tips to help you cope during this challenging time and strengthen your resilience.

Talk about it
Speaking with others who have shared an experience can help you feel connected. Seek support from friends and family. Consider talking with a therapist or mental health expert for guidance.

Strive for balance
It’s easy to become overwhelmed. Remind yourself of people and events which are meaningful and comforting. Striving for balance empowers you with a healthier perspective.

Turn it off and take a break
We want to stay informed, but limit the amount of news you take in. Images can reawaken your feelings of distress. Do something you enjoy. It’s ok to distract yourself.

Honor your feelings
It’s common to experience a range of emotions after a tragedy. It’s ok to feel sad, scared, exhausted or off balance. Acknowledge how you are feeling.

Signs and Symptoms of Emotional Trauma

Physical Signs

  • Headaches
  • Sleeping too much or too little
  • Stomachaches
  • Racing heart
  • Easily startled
  • Overly tired or exhausted

Emotional & Mental Signs

  • Overwhelming fear
  • Helplessness, hopelessness
  • Guilt
  • Shock
  • Irritability
  • Panic and anxiety
  • Disbelief
  • Intrusive thoughts

Impacts of Tragedy and Trauma

Witnessing a mass shooting or a tragic event can lead to trauma due to the profound psychological and emotional impact of such experiences. Trauma is a complex psychological response to an event that is shocking, distressing, or harmful. Such trauma can affect cognitive functions such as concentration, memory, and decision-making. Individuals may find it difficult to focus on tasks, experience memory lapses, or struggle with making simple decisions.

Trauma often leads to intense and overwhelming emotions. Individuals may experience heightened anxiety, depression, anger, or a sense of emotional numbness. Managing and regulating these emotions becomes challenging, impacting day-to-day emotional well-being. Witnessing a mass shooting can strain relationships and social interactions. Traumatized individuals may withdraw from others, have difficulty trusting people, or struggle to relate to those who have not experienced similar experiences.

Trauma can affect a person’s ability to perform at work or maintain employment. Difficulties concentrating, increased irritability, and emotional distress may lead to decreased productivity and job satisfaction. Some individuals may develop avoidance behaviors as a coping mechanism. They may avoid places, activities, or people associated with the traumatic event, leading to limitations in their daily life and potential isolation. Trauma often contributes to sleep disturbances such as nightmares, insomnia, or night sweats. Poor sleep quality can exacerbate existing challenges and contribute to overall fatigue and difficulty functioning during the day. If you or someone you know needs help processing an act of community violence, understanding and controlling emotions, or regaining a sense of normalcy consider seeking the help of a mental health professional.

How to Talk to Children About School Shootings

  • Stay calm.
  • Be their source of information.
  • Let them lead the conversation.
  • Give them space to heal.
  • Feel with them. Don’t process with them.
  • Answer questions honestly but age-appropriately.
  • They don’t need all the answers.
  • Talk about what they can control.
  • Ask what would help them feel safe at school.
  • Remind them of the truth you know.