A Virtual Inpatient Psychiatry Unit in a Multicampus Health Care System During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Telehealth
• Psychiatry

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated innovative healthcare delivery models.
• Patients with acute mental illness and COVID-19 required specialized, integrated care.
• Traditional inpatient psychiatric units faced challenges in managing co-infected patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the implementation of a virtual, telehealth-based inpatient psychiatric unit.
• To detail the operationalization of this unit for patients with COVID-19 and acute mental illness.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary telehealth approach during a public health emergency.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a virtual inpatient psychiatric unit within a multicampus health care system.
• Care provided via telehealth to patients involuntarily admitted under emergency hold laws and testing positive for COVID-19.
• Multidisciplinary team approach encompassing general medical and psychiatric treatments, safety protocols, and discharge planning.

Main Results:

• Successful development and operationalization of a virtual psychiatric unit.
• Patients received integrated medical and psychiatric treatments through telehealth.
• The virtual model demonstrated potential for efficient care delivery during public health crises.

Conclusions:

• A virtual, telehealth-based inpatient psychiatric unit can effectively manage patients with co-occurring COVID-19 and acute mental illness.
• Multidisciplinary telehealth models enhance care efficiency during public health emergencies.
• This innovative approach highlights the adaptability of healthcare systems to emerging needs.