In May, the Medical Society s EMS committee heard of two approaches to correct the problem. Psychiatric Crisis Services at the Milwaukee County Mental Health Complex has developed a voluntary pat ient lock-in program. Administrator Susan Schuler, RN told the EMS Committee that the lock-in program is designed to provide continuity of patient care through use of a committed doctor patient relationship. The patient agrees to receive care from one physician and prescription drugs from one pharmacy. Specialist referrals must be made by the primary physician.
Medical emergencies are the only exception to the lock in agreement.
Patients identified as Care Plan patients will be registered and logged in the hospital s computer system. Their visits to the hospital Emergency Department will result in a computer prompt and call up of medical records and visits to the emergency department for the previous 12 months. A copy of the care plan will be in the medical record, and a copy will be kept in the ED for quick and easy access. In this fashion, patients who frequent the ED can be identified and encouraged to honor the terms of their prior visits. Pain Clinic patients will have their care contracts coordinated.