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).
- Specialized hospital-based emergency departments and observation units dedicated to behavioral health that:
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.