Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health and Netsmart Collaborate to Leverage Technology Designed to Optimize Mobile Crisis Response Teams

Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health and Netsmart Collaborate to Leverage Technology Designed to Optimize Mobile Crisis Response Teams

Netsmart Media Contact:
Natalie Caruso
ncaruso@ntst.com
913.308.2080

Netsmart and Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health (RUHS Behavioral Health) announce the implementation of CareRouter^®, a mobile dispatch tool designed to optimize the coordination and efficiency of its Mobile Crisis Response Program across southern California. This implementation is part of the county's broader initiative to enhance crisis care delivery and improve overall community health outcomes.

Riverside, the tenth most populous county in the U.S., covers 7,300 square miles, which highlights the need for a tech-enabled, efficient crisis response system. The county supports the wellbeing of approximately 45,000 patients annually through comprehensive behavioral health services.

Previously, response teams managed availability with manual tools like spreadsheets, documents and emails, making coordinating call responses for 100 crisis team members time-consuming and inefficient. Through its collaboration with Netsmart, RUHS Behavioral Health has transformed its approach to crisis management, introducing near real-time coordination capabilities that allow dispatchers to quickly identify the nearest available team to an individual in crisis. The cloud-based solution, part of the Netsmart CareFabric^® Platform, aims to reduce response times to crisis calls, support staff safety in the field and keep dispatchers and administrators informed on status and progress of the mobile care teams through comprehensive dashboards and reports.

“From the moment we went live with CareRouter, our staff has seen substantial improvements in our crisis dispatch workflows,” said Conni Ryder, Mobile Crisis Supervisor, Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health. “Having this system gives crisis dispatchers the ability to track team locations and assign the closest crisis response teams to calls as well as include the member’s identifying information with an attachment of crisis disposition information needed through one application. This allows us to dispatch teams more quickly so that we can provide more efficient support to our members in crisis.”

The implementation of CareRouter provides GPS routing for crisis teams, with the goal of reducing response times from over an hour to less than 30 minutes. Additionally, the solution can integrate necessary California documents and automate various processes to enhance workflow and target accurate identification of team availability.

On busy days, RUHS Behavioral Health can coordinate up to 35 teams across Riverside County. The CareRouter system supports communication and connection among field teams and dispatchers, enhancing overall response efficiency. The Mobile Crisis Response Program aims to prevent unnecessary emergency department (ED) visits by maintaining a success rate of keeping 70%¹ of individuals out of EDs, while focusing on safety and efficiency.

“As a long term healthcare IT partner of Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health, we are honored to support their efforts in providing enhanced crisis response solutions that promote safety and wellbeing in the community,” said Scott Green, SVP & Managing Director of CareDimensions. “The successful launch of CareRouter is a testament to our shared dedication to improving health care across the continuum of care, with the goal that every individual in crisis receives timely and effective care no matter where they need it.”

RUHS Behavioral Health has been a collaborative Netsmart client for nearly 10 years and has continued to grow their programs to serve more than 45,000 individuals annually. The organization initially selected Netsmart for their electronic health record (EHR) and has continued to invest in additional solutions within the CareFabric platform including interoperability, consumer engagement and telehealth to advance positive outcomes for the children, adults and families they serve. This collaboration marks a true milestone for the county and their commitment to leveraging innovative technology solutions to meet the evolving needs of mental health and crisis services within the community.

About Riverside University Health System

Riverside University Health System (RUHS) includes a 439-bed Medical Center in Moreno Valley, Calif., 14 Federally Qualified Community Health Centers, and the departments of Public and Behavioral Health. RUHS is Riverside County’s safety net provider, offering high-quality, patient-centered care. With more than 8,000 staff members and over 125 years of experience, RUHS continues its commitment to and legacy of delivering exceptional, compassionate care with a focus on public health, behavioral health, community wellness, and medical education. Visit ruhealth.org to learn more.

About Netsmart

Netsmart is an industry-leading healthcare technology organization empowering providers to deliver value-based care to the individuals and communities they serve. The Netsmart CareFabric^® platform serves as a unified, connected framework of solutions and services for human services, post-acute, payer and public sector communities. Together with our clients and Marketplace vendors, we develop and deliver innovative technology, including electronic health records (EHRs), interoperability, analytics, augmented intelligence (AI), population health management and telehealth solutions and services that assist organizations in transforming the care they deliver. The result has helped make a positive impact on the lives of more than 147 million individuals.

For more than 55 years, Netsmart has helped provider organizations in their efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of the communities we collectively serve. To learn more, visit ntst.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook or X.

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¹ Data provided by Riverside University Health System - Behavioral Health (RUHS-BH) for fiscal year 2021-2022.