Hurricane Helene: Public Health Department Closures

Latest updates: Hurricane Helene

Our public health departments' hours of operation may be affected by power and staffing outages. This means that some closures may not appear on the state government office delays and closings map. The health and safety of our employees and our clients remains our highest priority. We are working to get services restored as safely and quickly as possible.

Learn more about DPH's role with hurricanes, floods, and weather emergencies.

What Does Hospital-Based Crisis Stabilization Unit Mean?

  • Crisis stabilization (or EmPATH) units within hospitals, in this context, refer to:
    • Specialized hospital-based emergency departments and observation units dedicated to behavioral health that:
      • Ease overcrowding in the general emergency department,
      • Initiate needed urgent psychiatric treatment, and 
      • Reduce unnecessary admissions (i.e., hospital inpatient admissions).  

DPH Certificate of Need and Licensure Implications

  • DPH has published guidance for hospitals seeking to establish or expand hospital-based behavioral health crisis stabilization services. 
  • Specifically, DHEC addresses the certificate of need (CON) and licensure implications for hospital-based crisis stabilization units.
  • A CON is not required to establish a hospital-based crisis stabilization unit.
  • Crisis stabilization (or EmPATH) unit beds, bays, or spaces are not considered licensed hospital beds.
  • However, the units need to comply with Regulation 61-16 including applicable design, construction, and operations requirements. 

DPH’s Hospital-Based Crisis Stabilization Unit Guidance

Grant Opportunities through SCDHHS

Hospitals interested in exploring or applying for grants related to establishing or expanding hospital-based behavioral health crisis stabilization services should contact the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) or visit their website.