Q&A
Discussion on procedures for transporting psychiatric patients
1:05:37
·
80 sec
Council Member Mercedes Narcisse inquires about procedures for transporting patients experiencing a psychiatric crisis. Chief Michael Fields explains the process:
- FDNY uses a CCC (Closest Comprehensive Care) criteria within their Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system.
- The system suggests the closest open psychiatric facility based on the patient's location.
- Units are given criteria based on suggested recommendations and a list of open hospitals.
- Chief Fields notes that according to New York State regulations, all facilities are supposed to have psychiatric facilities, but some may be on diversion.
- The council member expresses concerns about the lack of psychiatric units in many hospitals and the ongoing mental health crisis.
- The discussion highlights challenges in managing psychiatric emergencies within the broader context of limited mental health resources in the city.
Mercedes Narcisse
1:05:37
When transporting patients who are experiencing a psychiatric crisis, who determines which facility to transport them to since not all emergency departments have psychiatric unit, are there any procedures that are outlined to help guide responders decisions?
Michael Fields
1:05:58
Yeah.
1:05:58
We we have a CCC criteria, and this is just a unit that comes up within the CAD.
1:06:05
So based on the location, it will tell you what's the closest psychiatric facility that's open.
Mercedes Narcisse
1:06:12
No.
1:06:12
I'm having a little hard time with that because I know most of them don't have no psychiatric unit.
1:06:17
And then we have a a crisis for mental health.
Michael Fields
1:06:20
We we we are definitely in crisis in respects to mental health.
1:06:24
According to New York State regulations, all facilities are supposed to have psychiatric facilities, whether or not they are on diversion, maybe a totally different thing in which we have to deal with those respective hospitals.
1:06:37
The units themselves, they are given the criteria based off suggested recommendations.
1:06:43
They look to see which hospitals are showing that are open.
1:06:46
And based off that category or a list of hospitals they have, they go from the closest to the furthest, and normally they utilize catchment.
1:06:55
They go to the closest.
