Dallas County Hospital is expanding its telehealth capabilities, which they hope improves patient access to behavioral healthcare services.

The hospital has partnered with Integrated Telehealth Partners (ITP) in an effort to provide timely access to mental health services through telepsychiatry. ITP has specialists who provide real-time care using telehealth video conferencing technology. DCH says with the new technology, the ITP team of providers can see a patient less than two hours after the patient arrives at the emergency room. Their goal is to improve outcomes for mental health patients and reduce the time spent by ER staff finding inpatient hospitalization.

The new video conferencing equipment was purchased through a grant provided by Raccoon Valley Bank.