Establishes a pilot program to transfer high acuity behavioral health and dual diagnosis patients from overcrowded emergency departments.

The bill creates a pilot program to transfer high acuity behavioral health and dual diagnosis patients away from overcrowded emergency departments in the Southeast region of Massachusetts. Patients will be transferred to the program if another appropriate setting cannot be found within four hours of admission. The program will be operated by the Department of Mental Health and staffed by registered nurses, psychiatrists, and other staff. The program will run for two years, with a report on its success and quality of care to be filed during the second year.

Establishes a pilot program to transfer high acuity behavioral health and dual diagnosis patients from overcrowded emergency departments.

The bill creates a pilot program to transfer high acuity behavioral health and dual diagnosis patients away from overcrowded emergency departments in the Southeast region of Massachusetts. Patients will be transferred to the program if another appropriate setting cannot be found within four hours of admission. The program will be operated by the Department of Mental Health and staffed by registered nurses, psychiatrists, and other staff. The program will run for two years, with a report on its success and quality of care to be filed during the second year.