Our country faces a substance abuse epidemic. Over 20 million Americans have some form of Substance Use Disorder. Wide-spread addiction problems irreparably harm individuals and families. According to the CDC, 130 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose. Moreover, drug and alcohol use disorders...
Have you ever set sail without knowing where you would land, or started a road trip unsure of the final destination? Of course not! You might not plot out each stop along the way, but you need a clear understanding of the journey’s end. Knowing...
Whether yours is a for profit or nonprofit facility, behavioral healthcare is ultimately a business. Your facility needs to operate in a financially responsible manner and pay its expenses based on revenue. It also needs to achieve its mission and provide excellent outcomes for its...
With the outbreak of Coronavirus, everyday life has become difficult for millions of people across the globe. The disease, also known as COVID-19, is highly infectious and can have varying effects on different people. According to the World Health Organization, the virus primarily spreads through...
The healthcare space is in the process of a challenging transition to value-based care. The expectation that most organizations can make the transition in a year or two is overly optimistic. Complete transformation may take a long journey and will require careful consideration. So far,...
Substance use is becoming a common trend among adolescents. A 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health in the United States shows that an estimated 164.8 million people aged 12 years or older were past-month substance users....
Psychiatric nurse practitioners are instrumental in providing treatment and helping patients cope with psychiatric disorders including ADHD, PTSD, mood disorders, and anxiety, as well as a whole host of other conditions. They work with individuals, families, groups, and communities, assessing their mental health needs before...
Part Two in a Series Employee retention is a tremendous problem in the American behavioral healthcare system. In a 2018 survey of more than 600 treatment professionals, 60% claimed that their clinical departments are understaffed, and most pointed the finger at turnover as the main reason...
Access to behavioral health therapy is quite different now compared to the way clients accessed sessions a few years ago. Telehealth is becoming an important part of mental health treatment, but it’s not as simple as signing on to an online Skype session or Google...
Our country faces a crisis. Communities across the nation are stricken with substance abuse and mental illness. Data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association (SAMHSA) reveal nearly 58 million Americans have mental illnesses or substance use disorders, with 9 million adults having...
With opioid addiction reaching critical levels, finding alternative options for pain management is vital. It's time for medical practitioners to start investigating other forms of treatment for pain and minor mental health issues. According to Medical News Today, more and more studies have shown that...
First in a Series In order to truly provide top-notch care for your clients, you need an all-star team of professionals working around you. Physicians, case workers, therapists, nurses, and billers, the list goes on and on. A successful practice relies on a full staff of...
Smartphones were first introduced to the mass market in 2007. While there are both positives and negatives that have come from using this innovative technology, the change in culture and society — as it relates to physical and mental health — has been dramatic. Studies have...
As our health system continues to change for both primary and behavioral healthcare, a lot of discussion is taking place about the collaboration and integration of these two systems. As with any change, a method for evaluating and determining what works best is always one...
Mental healthcare is a booming business. It is also unique because discussions about profit, using the word "sales", and the downsides of this industry are rarely, if ever, spoken about. It's time to start! Sit back, relax, and listen as co-hosts Dave Ballenberger, MSW, and Kristin...
Addiction is a complex but treatable disease that affects brain function and behavior. Drugs of abuse alter the brain’s structure and function, resulting in changes that persist long after drug use has ceased. This may explain why drug abusers are at risk for relapse even after...
Gone are the days when keeping patient records and maintaining appointment schedules is done on paper. The advancements in software technology have transformed the way programs maintain their clinical records, scheduling, and billing. Substance abuse clinical management systems offer services that are innovative and widely used....
David Ballenberger, Director of Business Development for NextStep Solutions, discusses the changes that are on the horizon for behavioral health EHRs. The need to offer documented value to your practice is increasing, and the ability to prove that your treatments are working with your clients,...
Dave Ballenberger discusses the advantages and benefits that digital pen technology can provide your behavioral health organization when your clinicians are with clients outside of the office. Patient information is the crux of any treatment plan in the behavioral health sector. As technology advances, paper to...
Can your Electronic Health Record add, subtract, multiply and divide? I can remember standing at the back of the room waiting for Sister Theresa to give me a math problem that I would have to figure it out before I got to the front of the...
Why are client portals more important than you think? Client portals create the means for the exchange of information between clients and clinicians. What was once considered a nice option for your EHR is becoming a necessity, however, not all portals offer the same features. It...