DB 22-04 - Mental Health Therapeutic Vans

Question 1

The goals of the TV Pilot Program are to:

Answer 1

• Increase access and enhance the quality of mental health services

• Lessen the impact on LAFD and LAPD resources

• Lessen the impact on emergency departments

• Leverage partnerships with a community-driven approach toward improving mental health crisis outcomes

Question 2

The DMH TVs will be staffed with an “all civilian” team composed of?

Answer 2

-Licensed Psychiatric Technician

-Peer Support Specialist

-Clinical Driver

(Staffing is two 12-hour shifts to provide 24/7 service with the exception of County holidays.)

Question 3

How many Therapeutic Vans are staffed within the city?

Answer 3

5

Question 4

TVs respond NON-EMERGENCY and will be dispatched by MFC when they are within _____ miles of an incident in one of the following two ways:

Answer 4

7 miles

1. Dispatched with an LAFD resource
2. Added to an incident per on-scene LAFD resource

Question 5

When use of a TV is apparent, members should complete the medical screening checklist AND THEN request a ______ from MFC.

Answer 5

-Mental Health Unit

(Advanced Provider Response Units (APRUs) are also included within the dispatch algorithm and may be dispatched if no TVs are available.)

Question 6

LAFD MEDICAL SCREENING CHECKLIST TO SUMMON MENTAL HEALTH UNIT:

Answer 6

Question 7

LAFD members shall complete the _______ PRIOR to requesting a Mental Health Unit to be dispatched to their incident.

Answer 7

LAFD Medical Clearance Checklist

Question 8

For any patient being considered for DMH TV care, members shall select the Provider Impression “________,” which will prompt the opening of a new window with the TV checklist.

Answer 8

Behavioral/Psychiatric Crisis

(Completion of the checklist is NOT MANDATORY for “Behavioral/Psychiatric Crisis” patients who are known to not qualify for DMH TV transfer.)

Question 9

If any questions, concerns, or differences of opinions regarding the use of TVs arise while on scene of an incident, a _______shall be requested through MFC.

Answer 9

EMS Battalion Captain

Question 10

Examples of appropriate Mental Health Unit requests include:

Answer 10

• Patients with suicidal ideation

• Patients with mild symptoms secondary to noncompliance with psychological medication

• Patients unable to cope with stress or anxiety

Question 11

LAFD Mental Health Unit Screening Checklist:

1. Heart rate criteria?
2. Pulse Oximetry criteria?
3. Systolic Blood Pressure criteria>
4. Respiratory Rate criteria?

Answer 11

1. 60 - 120 bpm
2. 94% and above on room air
3. 100 - 180 mmHg
4. 12 - 24 respirations per minute

Question 12

LAFD Mental Health Unit Screening Checklist:

1. Glasgow Coma Score criteria?
2. Glucose criteria (if diabetic)?

Answer 12

1. 14 or greater GCS
2. 60 - 250 mg/dL

Question 13

LAFD Mental Health Unit Screening Checklist:

Age criteria?

Answer 13

18 - 65 years old

Question 14

When patient care is transferred from the LAFD to a DMH TV, a ______ report shall be provided.

Additionally, the signature of the ________ shall be documented as the “receiving agent” in the destination signature field.

Answer 14

-Verbal (DMH does not have ePCR software. )

-Psychiatric Technician

Question 15

True or False?

The patient experiencing a behavioral/psychiatric crisis has to CONSENT to being transported by a Mental Health Unit. (Or be on a 5150 hold)

Answer 15

True