UNI Receiving Center

1. Receiving Center

2. • The Receiving Center is a short-term outpatient community
environment staffed with mental health professionals to
help individuals resolve an immediate psychiatric crisis.
Receiving Center services are for
individuals capable of resolving an
immediate psychiatric crisis and
discharge with outpatient treatment
referrals.
Receiving Center staff do not facilitate
inpatient hospital psychiatric admissions.

3. • UNI has teamed up with Salt Lake County and Optum Health SLCo to
provide free crisis response and hospital diversion programs that aim
to keep all our family members, friends, and neighbors safe.
• The community crisis service programs are designed to provide
community members with a full range of options to help solve the
crisis in the best setting possible.
• Our team of professionals are highly trained in
mental health crisis management and suicide
prevention.
The Receiving Center is a recovery- focused
environment with peer support and clinical
staff to help individuals regain a sense of
hope, choice and empowerment.
•

4. DEFINITIONS OF CRISIS
• “People are in a state of crisis when they face an obstacle to an
important life goal - an obstacle that is, for a time,
insurmountable by the use of customary methods of problem-
solving.” (Caplan, 1961)
• “…an upset in equilibrium at the failure of one’s traditional
problem-solving approach which results in disorganization,
hopelessness, sadness, confusion, and panic.” (Lillibridge and
Klukken, 1978)
• “…crisis is a perception or experience of an event or situation as
an intolerable difficulty that exceeds the persons current
resources and coping mechanism.”(James and Gilliland, 2001)

5. WHAT IS THE RECEIVING CENTER?
• The Receiving Center is a short-term (up to 23 hours) secure center providing
therapeutic crisis management for individuals.
• An assessment based on strengths and psychiatric needs will be provided.
• The staff will work with guests on a wellness recovery/discharge plan.
• The Receiving Center is staffed by advance practice nurses, physician assistants,
social workers, certified peer specialists, and psychiatric technicians.
• The Receiving Center is not the next step to an inpatient
admission, nor does it house individuals until an
inpatient bed is available.
• The program is intended to defer guests from emergency room
visits, and inpatient admissions.

6. THE UNI RECEIVING CENTER (RC)….
• ….is an innovative program funded by Salt Lake County Medicaid Dollars
providing a short-term stay based upon a psychiatric need in a secure crisis
center.
• The RC is designed to offer a safe, supportive and welcoming environment to both
voluntary and involuntary individuals. It recognizes each person as a guest and
provides the critical time needed to work through his or her crisis.
• Treatments include therapeutic crisis management, strength-based assessment
and processing utilizing peer specialists, screenings to determine health-care
needs, behavioral health assessment by a licensed mental health professional,
medication discussions, safety, security and assistance in discharge planning
which includes community resource referrals.
• The RC acts as the primary receiving facility for law enforcement officers and EMS
personnel in Salt Lake County.
• Treatment is based upon a wellness recover model.

7. RECEIVING CENTER CONTINUED…
• We accept clients from MCOT, Crisis Line, CAC, Police, and EMS,
Agencies in the community and all Emergency Rooms throughout Salt
Lake County.
• We serve the Medicaid (Optum), Uninsured, and Low income
population who live in Salt Lake County, with the exception of MCOT
referrals.
• We have space for 6 individuals, our priority are individuals with
Medicaid (Optum), and Unfunded.
• We do accept individuals who have private insurance, but will need to
be considered case by case.
• Patients are not admitted for medications to be started or altered.

8. RC CONTINUED…
• Individuals who are agitated and combative must be calm before they are
admitted to the Receiving Center.
– If they are not already in an Emergency Room they will need to go to one first, before
staffing with Receiving Center Clinicians. Individuals who are detoxing from Alcohol or
Benzodiazepines, as well as, any other drug unless, the medical provider is consulted
and they are willing to accept the patient.
• While in the Receiving Center, a clinical Social Worker, and Advanced
Practitioner will meet with the guest to help identify their needs and goals.
• Pt will also receive crisis counseling, and medication reviews (medications
are not prescribed and are not started while in the Receiving Center).
• Pt will also have the opportunity to work with a Peer Specialist, on safety
planning, and coping skills.
– In addition, depending on the milieu there will be impromptu groups held during the
daytime hours.

9. ACCOMMODATIONS
The RC is considered “Bedded Outpatient”, which
is extremely different from inpatient units. There
are no private rooms with beds, no television,
personal items are not allowed (cell phones,
wallets, etc.), there is no smoking, and guests
may be voluntary or involuntary.
The main living room is where most guests will
sleep, either on a couch or a recliner, depending
on how many guests are present and what is
available.
There is a private bathroom with a shower if
guests would like shower and change into
scrubs.
There is a small refrigerator with meals and
juice/milk/water . We ask that guests be
respectful and only take one meal as there is
limited quantities and more guests may arrive
throughout the day and night and be in need of a
hot meal.
(If guests are here at breakfast, lunch
and dinner times, the meals will be
provided from the kitchen and brought
the RC)
There are two private assessment room for one-
on-one therapy, assessment, and evaluation by
licensed providers (social worker and medical
providers).

10. LIVING ROOM STYLE MILIEU
• It is important to let potential guests
know that there are not private
rooms to sleep in, nor are there beds.
This is an outpatient short term (23
hours or less) crisis center.
• Guests can sleep on a couch or a
recliner depending on how full the
unit is already. (first come, first
served).
• Both males and females share the
living space and sleep in the same
living room. There are cameras and
guests are kept safe with frequent
(every 15 minutes) wellness checks
for guest safety and medical
monitoring.

11. GUIDELINES FOR RECEIVING CENTER GUEST
• Individuals need to have a psychiatric diagnosis and be in crisis.
– (Homelessness is not a crisis)
• Psychiatric diagnosis.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Medically stable
• Individuals need to be able to ambulate and care
for the ADLS on their own.
• Willing to come to work on a discharge
treatment plan for outpatient treatment
• Be calm and cooperative

12. POTENTIAL UNI-RC PATIENTS
• Psychiatric complaints:
– Suicidal
– Homicidal
– Depression
– Anxiety
– Auditory/Visual hallucinations
– Paranoia

13. EXCLUSION CRITERIA PRESENT?
• Age: under 18
• Blood glucose: under 80 or over
150 mg/dl
• Any abnormal vital signs?
– Temperature above 38 degrees
• Heart rate above 130
• Systolic BP under 90 or over 180 mm
Hg
• RR under 10/minute
• Medication or drug overdose
• Traumatic injuries requiring
medical attention
• Uncontrolled or acute medical
conditions
• Clinically apparent acute alcohol
or drug intoxication
• Actively withdrawing from drugs
or alcohol (we do not accept
patients detoxing from benzo’s
and alcohol)

14. BEHAVIORAL EXCLUSION PRESENT?
• Physically combative
– Needing chemical or physical restraint
– Aggressive toward staff, self, or others (both physically and verbally)
EMT or Paramedic judgment that the patient needs a higher level of
intervention or that the RC would be an inappropriate setting for the
patient given their current presentation.

15. TO MAKE A REFERRAL RC ADMISSION, WHEN CALLED
BY EMS/ GOLD CROSS, PLEASE PROVIDE THE
FOLLOWING:
• EMS must speak with the medical
provider on shift.
• Salt Lake County Residency Status
and funding
• Correct Spelling of legal first and
last name of patient
• DOB (must by at least 18 years old)
• Living situation
• Presenting problem- brief
explanation of situation
• Medical Issues-acute, chronic,
current/history
• Medications- what are they taking?
• Do they have the medications with
them?
• Are there barriers to getting their
medications?
• Substance Abuse current/history
• At risk for withdrawal/detox issues?
• SI/HI, is there plan or intent, any self-
harm.
• Behavioral presentation (experiencing
AH/VH? What are they saying? What
are they doing?)

16. AFTER A REFERRAL IS MADE….
• After a referral is made please
allow the RC time to staff the
potential patient the other
members of the treatment
team (medical provider and
social worker).
• After a decision has been made the
decision will be relayed to EMS.
• If the patient is accepted please give
an ETA so the RC can make
arrangements for the patient’s
arrival.
• If the decision has been made to
divert to the closest ED it is based on
the clinical information given, acuity
of the patient, availability at the RC at
that time, and what is in the patient’s
best interest.
• If the decision has been made to
come directly to the RC please inform
the patient of the Receiving Center’s
Policy (no beds, no smoking, and no
TV)
• Up to 23 hrs.
• It is not a gateway to inpatient
admission.

17. WHAT MAKES A “GOOD” REFERRAL?
• Salt Lake County Residency Status, that is 18 years or older.
• In a crisis, emotional, SI/HI, with/without a plan or intent.
• Behavioral presentation (experiencing AH/VH and is able to
control their behavior, they are calm and cooperative, or easily
redirect able)
• Medications? They have them with them or are able to have
them brought to the RC.
• Guest has been to the RC in the past and has been appropriate.

18. REPEAT GUESTS THAT WERE DENIED
• Many guests request coming to the RC several days in a row, or
several times a month. Acceptance of a known guest is not guaranteed
and each encounter is treated differently.
• Reasons why a known guest would not be accepted:
– Previous behavior in the RC was inappropriate
– Guest was verbally, physically abusive to staff or other guests
– Guest did not participate in the process/refused services or help
– Guest was not forthcoming as to what drugs, alcohol use was present
– Uncontrolled medical conditions not reported and not addressed
– Guest using services inappropriately (using RC as the shelter, wanting
food/drink due to lack of funding, wanting their medications for free without
obtaining or filling their current prescriptions, demanding laundry services)

19. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT MAY BE
HELPFUL:

20. REFERRAL SOURCES AT A GLANCE
• Referrals come from a variety of
sources in the community.
• Walk in-self referral, friend, family
members
• Emergency Rooms
• Out patient providers
• Residential treatment/providers
• MCOT/Crisis Line/Text line
• Law Enforcement
• EMS
REFERRAL SOURCES by MONTH
Count of PATIENT NAME (Last, First) Column Labels
Row Labels 7Grand Total
Emergency Room 77 77
Inpatient 11 11
SELF/FAMILY 10 10
Outpatient Provider 5 5
Residential Provider 4 4
MCOT 4 4
Crisis Line 3 3
Law Enforcement 2 2
Grand Total 116 116

21. WHAT TO EXPECT WRAP UP….
• 1. Individuals commit to being
respectful and behaviorally
appropriate;
• 2. Smoking is prohibited
• 3. Individuals surrender cell phones, all
valuables, personal items and
medications. These items will be
returned upon discharge
• 4. Individuals need to bring their own
medications
• 5. Medications are not prescribed.
Individuals are referred to outpatient
providers
• 6. Beds or private rooms are not
available. Individuals sleep on
futon couches or recliners
• 7. Once admitted individuals are not
allowed to leave the unit until discharge
• 8. Individuals agree to participate in
individual and group therapy
• 9. If staff feel an individual is
behaviorally inappropriate for the
Receiving Center community
environment they can be asked to leave
• 10. Visitors are not allowed
• 11. Individuals may be asked to
shower and change into scrubs
• 12. Staff will help facilitate discharge
transportation which may include bus
tokens, cab vouchers, van ride, etc.
•

22. ALWAYS call before coming to ensure
space is available.
801-587-7988
•