12/18/2024
Callaway County EMS Incorporates Crisis Intervention Training
Mental health emergencies in the United States are frequently handled by non-mental health professionals, such as EMTs and paramedics. Callaway County EMS is leading the way and doing what it can with Crisis Intervention Training (CIT), a course designed to give first responders the tools they need to treat mental health crises safely and humanely. Callaway County EMS leadership made the decision to require its EMTs and paramedics to be trained in CIT so that people experiencing mental health emergencies get the care they need – whether that’s from on-scene referral to services such as 988 or transport to specialized crisis centers.
In recent months, Callaway County EMS personnel completed a 40-hour CIT program and now are better prepared to deescalate a crisis, evaluate the needs of patients and refer them to the right resources. This proactive approach reflects the agency’s efforts to lead the CIT revolution and meet the county’s mental health crises.
Understanding Crisis Intervention Training (CIT)
CIT is a tailored training course to arm emergency workers with the skills needed for mental health crises. Participants are taught about mental illness, how to communicate, de-escalate, and how to get patients into the right care units.
Simulations and case studies help EMS staff learn to quickly determine whether a patient requires emergency medical care, mental health care or transport to a special center. By training emergency responders in these abilities, CIT makes sure people in crisis are being properly cared for at a rapid and individualized pace, which eases pressure on emergency departments (EDs) and leads to better patient outcomes.
The Increasing Demand for Mental Health Solutions.
We are seeing mental health crises rise across the country. One in five adults in the United States is afflicted with mental illness every year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and most require professional help. But even standard EDs often don’t have a facility that’s ready for psychiatric emergencies. Long waits, poor mental health services and staff not qualified in psychiatric management tend to make crises worse, not better.
EMS providers are often the first people patients see in mental health emergencies in Callaway County and beyond. Whether it’s someone in the throes of suicidal thoughts or a person in psychosis, EMS workers affect the trajectory of these crises. Callaway County EMS is advancing the quality of care for patients at the right place at the right time by using CIT.
Aligning Patients to Resources that Work for Them.
The biggest strength of CIT is the emphasis on getting patients to the right care environment. EDs are still needed for serious medical emergencies, but they aren’t always the best environment for people with psychiatric crises. And there are less expensive and individualized options available in crisis stabilization facilities, detox centers or outpatient psychiatric clinics.
For instance, a patient who has a panic attack could be seen immediately at a crisis center instead of waiting hours in an uncoordinated ED. So, too, may those suffering from substance use disorders seeking better directed support in a detox or treatment facility. With an awareness of these differences, CIT-certified EMS workers can save time, avoid unnecessary trips to the ED, and make patients’ lives better.
Patients, Communities and Healthcare Systems will Benefit from this.
CIT will be used across the patient, community and larger healthcare system for many other reasons. For patients, the speed and specialized treatment can help can make all the difference. The use of de-escalation techniques also decrease the likelihood of violent clashes, which makes it safer for both patients and responders.
In communities, CIT reinforces emergency response trust. When people and their families know that EMS staff are qualified to deal with mental health emergencies competently and compassionately, they’re more likely to get help in time and in the long term. This trust can also strengthen the EMS and mental health community’s ability to provide mental health care in more coordinated ways.
And the healthcare system benefits from CIT, too. Sending patients to non-emergency care places EMS clinicians less burden on EDs and more room for people with acute needs. That better use of medical resources saves money and improves care for all patients.
Callaway County EMS: At the Cutting Edge of the CIT Revolution.
The embrace of CIT by Callaway County EMS is the next generation response to the mental health epidemic. The agency knew that special training was needed and set up a 40-hour curriculum for its EMTs and paramedics. It is training not only that helps responders handle emergencies, but it is training that makes the agency known for its dedication to doing justice to the community.
"We have leadership that felt this training was needed in our area," said a Callaway County EMS spokesperson. "CIT is not only about tackling crises; it’s about giving patients what they need to heal and live well," said EMS Director Charles Anderson.
Be it an emergency call to the 988 mental health crisis hotline on the scene or a ride to a crisis stabilization unit, Callaway County EMS is showing how CIT can change the way emergency services provide mental health care.
Demand for Universal CIT Application.
Callaway County EMS is a pioneer, but the value of CIT means it needs to be more widely implemented. Regions that have CIT programs report fewer use-of-force episodes, less ED overcrowding and better patient outcomes across the country. But scaling up these efforts takes more resources and money.
When you invest in CIT programs, it trains EMS operators to be essential go-to providers for individuals in crisis and provide them with the services they need. With mental health issues only increasing, CIT must be a mandatory part of EMS training nationwide.
Callaway County EMS’s preparedness during a mental health crisis is one example of how local agencies can make a real difference when it comes to mental health. With CIT at the center, the agency is making the system not only more responsive, but also a better, more humane, and more efficient emergency care system for everyone.
