title: Managing patients with behavioral health problems in acute care: balancing safety and financial viability.
abstract: With a recent decrease in community resources for the mental health population, acute care facilities must seek creative, cost-effective ways to protect and care for these vulnerable individuals. This article describes 1 facility's journey to maintaining patient and staff safety while reducing cost. Success factors of this program include staff engagement, environmental modifications, and a nurse-driven, sitter-reduction process.
authors.affiliation: Author Affiliations: Clinical Nurse Specialist (Ms Rape), Nurse Manager (Mss Mann and Ramey), and Assistant Vice President of Quality Management (Mr Schooley), Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Cyndy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rape
authors.forename: Tammy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schooley
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ramey
mesh_terms: D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000451:nursing*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017751:Safety Management / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States