Rapid City Hospital Emergency Department adds Avera eCARE Behavioral Health

RAPID CITY, S.D. (July 10, 2019) – Monument Health Rapid City Hospital has added Avera eCARE® Behavioral Health, a virtual health service that supports hospitals with 24-7 access to a variety of behavioral health services. This service is supported by the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, which provided major funding to Avera eCARE for expansion of behavioral health services.

Avera eCARE Behavioral Health gives staff and patients at the Rapid City Hospital’s Emergency Department round-the-clock, real-time access to a behavioral health team staffed by psychiatrists, medical social workers and behavioral health nurses at the Avera eCARE hub in Sioux Falls.

“We have a trusted team here in Rapid City, and they offer excellent care. Yet we also welcome and appreciate the extra layer of support and expertise that Avera eCARE provides in the realm of behavioral health,” said Jennifer Murray, Director of Rapid City Hospital’s Emergency Department.

When a patient arrives at the Rapid City Hospital Emergency Department with a mental health emergency during hours that local providers are not as quickly available, eCARE fills that gap, ensuring the patient will receive quick, expert care, Murray explained. The mental health professional can use the session to assess the needs of the patient and recommend appropriate action by the on-site Emergency Department staff in Rapid City.

In addition, Avera eCARE virtual team will also support local behavioral health inpatient and medical units by assisting with admissions and care consultation. Avera has over 25 years of experience in telehealth, and the Avera eCARE model is recognized nationally and internationally. Avera eCARE serves more than 440 sites in 30 states.

Services are provided through high-resolution two-way audio and video and software data management platforms that interface with hospitals’ electronic medical records.

“We look forward to partnering with staff at Monument Health Rapid City Hospital to assist in delivering behavioral health services closer to home. Avera eCARE couples sophisticated technology with a spirit of collaboration and partnership – all with the goal of improving access to quality health care,” said Deanna Larson, CEO of Avera eCARE.

About Monument Health
Headquartered in Rapid City, S.D., Monument Health is a community-based health care system with a mission to make a difference, every day. Monument Health offers care in 33 medical specialties and serves 20 communities across western South Dakota and in eastern Wyoming. With over 4,500 physicians and caregivers, Monument Health is comprised of 5 hospitals, 8 specialty and surgical centers and more than 40 medical clinics and health care service centers.

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CONTACT:
Dan Daly
Communications Specialist
Strategic Marketing and Communications
Monument Health
605-755-9178
ddaly@monument.health