Emergency Services for Psychiatric Care
Cape Cod Hospital
In collaboration with the Cape Cod Hospital Emergency Center (EC) physicians and staff at Cape Cod Hospital, the Behavioral Health department introduced a system of care for individuals presenting to the EC that are experiencing a psychiatric emergency. These services include medical clearance by an EC physician followed by a psychiatric evaluation provided by a Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant.
Admissions to acute services:
508-726-2911
Admissions to outpatient services:
508-790-3360
Inpatient services:
508-726-2911
Partial Hospital program:
508-862-5335
Outpatient appointments:
508-790-3360
Under this model, individuals remain in the EC, but are admitted to the “Psychiatric Observation” service as patients under the Chief of Psychiatry. Patients receive short-term treatment, intensive monitoring, and reassessment before a decision is made regarding whether an individual will require further treatment or if they can be safely discharged.
Falmouth Hospital
The Behavioral Health team also provides services at Falmouth Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED). Here, the team consists of a Psychiatrist, Nurse Practitioner, and Social Worker. Together, they offer a psychiatric evaluation, short-term treatment, and discussion of options once the individual is medically cleared.
In both Emergency Departments, every effort will be made to avoid transfer to an inpatient psychiatric facility by treating the psychiatric emergency and linking the individual to community resources.
Psychiatric Consult Service
Cape Cod Hospital & Falmouth Hospital medical floors
When a patient is hospitalized for medical reasons at Cape Cod or Falmouth Hospital, it is not unusual for a medical or surgical doctor to request a psychiatric evaluation for an individual who is displaying signs of psychological stress or behavioral changes. Our Psychiatric Consult service, staffed by Psychiatrists and Nurse Practitioners, is designed to respond to requests for psychiatric consultation with an assessment and ongoing psychiatric care during the patient’s hospital stay. If it is determined that the patient will require further inpatient or outpatient behavioral health treatment, our team will assist with appropriate placement and referrals.
Our team will involve the patient and their loved ones in every stage of treatment planning, providing guidance, psychoeducation, and recommendations at each step along the way.
