[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 140 (Thursday, October 1, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2428]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CARLSBAD MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC

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                           HON. HARRY TEAGUE

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 1, 2009

  Mr. TEAGUE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Carlsbad Mental 
Health Center for their innovative use of health information 
technology, which was recognized in two nationally syndicated 
publications highlighting the findings of a report prepared by Dr. 
Edward Kako for the federal Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services 
(CMS).
  As recently as 2007, the Carlsbad Mental Health Center was witnessing 
rising costs, budgetary shortages and high wait times for patient 
appointments and in-takes. The facility responded to these challenges 
by adopting an innovative new program to harness health information 
technology to improve efficiency and cut costs. Within a year the 
facility's new practices brought a number of successful developments.
  First, the new practices improved the quality of care for patients, 
while cutting wait times for patient appointments. The new system 
provided the staff access to more detailed information, allowing them 
to better diagnose and treat patients. In addition, further research 
into the facilities high no-show and cancellation rates produced new 
policy changes, which reduced the wait time for an appointment from up 
to 6 weeks to an average of 11 days.
  Second, these new practices resulted in dramatic cost reductions. The 
innovative use of health information technology by the Carlsbad Mental 
Health Center illustrates how adopting cutting edge technologies and 
practices can cut health care costs and provide better service to 
patients. Adopting the best practices for mental health care will not 
only help the general public, but will also help our veterans who are 
experiencing high rates of mental health disorders and substance 
addictions. This is of particular importance to me as I believe 
providing veterans with the best possible care available is among our 
highest obligations.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing and in 
honoring the Carlsbad Mental Health Center's impressive accomplishments 
and innovations in the field of mental health treatment.

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