Legislation that would create a statewide database of psychiatric hospital beds available for emergency use has been approved by the Michigan Legislature and is now headed to Governor Rick Snyder. Plan sponsor state Representative Mary Whiteford tells us when someone goes to an ER, the staff will be able to search the whole state to find quick help for them. She says that’s not always possible now.
“I’ve heard about people being in the emergency room for days not getting the help they need, and then the emergency room staff can’t take care of other people,” Whiteford said.
Whiteford tells us police will be able to use the database when someone in crisis comes to them for help. The database will categorize beds by patient gender, acuity, age, and diagnosis.
