New PAL Care Guides Available and Other Mental Health News
October 4, 2023
The Partnership Access Line (PAL) released the 2024 version of the Washington State “Seattle Children’s Primary Care Principles for Child Mental Health” care guide, available here.
The 2024 care guide (version 12.0) includes the following updates:
- A link to the 2022 version of the Washington State Health Care Authority “Prescription Drug Program Billing Guide” (replaces the 2016 version): https://www.hca.wa.gov/assets/billers-and-providers/prescription-drug-bg-20220401.pdf
- Pages 95-96: Added worksheet “Caregiver handout on supporting teenagers” (FAST-P)
- Page 111: New page added in Substance Use section with “Substance Use Medications Overview” chart
- Various updated resources links
To request a paper copy, email PAL at PALadmin@seattlechildrens.org. Allow up to six weeks for printing and processing.
About PAL
The Partnership Access Line (PAL) supports primary care providers (doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants) with questions about mental health care such as diagnostic clarification, medication adjustment or treatment planning.
Call PAL at 1-866-599-7257
Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
PAL is available throughout the state of Washington and is funded by the Health Care Authority. The phone consultation is covered by HIPAA, section 45 CFR 164.506; no additional release of patient information is required to consult.
The PAL team consists of child and adolescent psychiatrists affiliated with the University of Washington School of Medicine and Seattle Children’s Hospital to deliver its phone consultation services. In addition, PAL has a master’s-level social worker who can assist with finding mental health resources for patients.
The PAL team is available to any primary care provider in Washington state to discuss the care of any pediatric patient regardless of insurance type (state, private or no insurance).
Behavioral health treatment group for needle worries
A behavioral health treatment group for children ages 6 to 17 with known difficulty with needle procedures is being offered virtually and in-person through Psychiatry. This is a four-week treatment group for patients with significant difficulty with needles and their parents. To refer a patient, please submit a referral to Psychiatry and note “Coping with Needles Group” in the Reason for Referral field. Patients who require frequent needle procedures associated with their medical care will be prioritized, though kids struggling with vaccinations this fall are also welcome. Patients will receive a call from Scheduling to register for the group.
For more information, see our flyer (Spanish) or contact Joanna.patten@seattlechildrens.org or joy.kawamura@seattlechildrens.org.
Additional patient education resources:
- PE3504 Coping with Needle Procedures Workbook (seattlechildrens.org) (Spanish)
- PE3505 Coping with Needle Procedures Exposures Slides (seattlechildrens.org) (Spanish)
Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program is taking external referrals
Seattle Children’s Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is now open to external referrals.
To refer your patient, please submit the attached Adolescent PHP New Appointment Request Form (NARF) and applicable clinical documentation found on page 2. The Adolescent PHP is designed for youth who are at risk for inpatient psychiatric hospitalization but can live safely at home with intensive support. It provides services five days a week, six hours a day for youth ages 13 to 17.
Length of stay is based on completion of individualized treatment goals. Typical length of stay is around three weeks, but could range from two to six weeks.
Due to our fluid capacity and volume of referrals, we cannot provide timelines on if or when a referred adolescent has the possibility of being enrolled in the program. At this time, please wait 72 hours before reaching out to our team regarding the status of the referral.
For more information: Visit our Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program website.
Questions? Contact the program by phone 206-987-3344 or by email at AdolescentPHP@seattlechildrens.org.