R523-17-4. Definitions

  (1) "Bridging Strategies" are transition strategies that include brief patient education that helps the patient understand his or her condition and what treatment options exist to facilitate patient and family follow-through;

  (a) Provides assistance with understanding and navigating the system of potential supports, preferably from a peer;

  (b) May include counseling by staff from a community-based organization who can then see the patient for follow-up care after discharge and giving the patient a copy of their safety plan and making sure it is relevant to their current level of care; and

  (c) Sometimes called peer-or community bridging. Also providing onsite counseling.

  (2) "Caring Connection" is defined as a follow up phone call, mailed note, text or e-mail checking back in with the caller. This can be done by crisis staff or other support staff.

  (3) "Caring Contacts" Caring contacts are brief communications with patients during care transitions such as discharge from treatment or when patients miss appointments or drop out of treatment. These contacts, through which care providers continue to show support for a patient, can promote patient's feeling of connection to treatment and increase their participation in collaborative treatment. Caring contacts may be especially helpful for patients who have barriers to outpatient care or are unwilling to access outpatient care.

  (4) "Certified Crisis Worker" means an individual who:

  (a) meets the standards of qualification or certification that the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (division) sets, in accordance with Section 62A-15-1302; and

  (b) staffs the statewide mental health crisis line or a local mental health crisis line under the supervision of at least one mental health therapist.

  (5) "Local Mental Health Crisis Line" means the same as that term is defined in Subsection 63C-18-102(2).

  (6) "Mental Health Crisis" is defined as any intense behavioral, emotional, or psychiatric situation perceived to be a crisis by the individual experiencing the crisis, family, or others who closely observe the individual. The crisis may include a mental health condition that manifests itself by symptoms of sufficient severity that a prudent layperson who possesses an average knowledge of mental health issues could reasonably expect the absence of immediate attention of intervention to result in:

  (a) serious jeopardy to the individual's health or well-being; or

  (b) a danger to others; or

  (c) significantly reduced levels of functioning in primary activities of daily living.

  (7) "Mental Health Therapist" is an individual licensed in Utah under the mental health professional practice act as defined in Subsection 58-60-102(5).

  (8) "Statewide mental health crisis line" means the same as that term is defined in Subsection 63C-18-102(3).

  (9) "Rapid Follow-up and Referral" involves taking steps during an emergency department visit or before discharge from inpatient care to facilitate immediate access to an outpatient treatment appointment for the patient, preferably within 24--48 hours after discharge. To facilitate rapid referral, it may be helpful to establish agreements with outpatient providers to accept rapid follow-up referrals.

  (10) "Warm Hand Off" has a goal to increase the likelihood that a patient will follow up on a referral to one provider from another. Rather than simply providing the name and phone number of a provider, a warm hand-off connects the patient with the new provider before the first appointment.