Behavioral Health and Substance Use Final Technical Report - Spring 2019 Cycle 

Behavioral disorders cause considerable pain and dysfunction in the U.S. population and represent the leading cause of death and disability when compared to other major illness clusters such as cancers, circulatory disease injuries, and kidney disease. Despite the challenges posed by behavioral health illnesses, there exist many evidence-based approaches to prevent such illnesses and to treat persons and families impacted by them. Each Behavioral Health and Substance Use project cycle aims to endorse measures of accountability for improving the delivery of behavioral health care in the U.S. During the Spring 2019 project cycle, the Behavioral Health and Substance Use Standing Committee evaluated six measures. Measures focused on the use of physical restraint and seclusion; follow-up after emergency department visit for alcohol and other illegal drug use or dependence and mental illness; discharge of patients on multiple antipsychotic medications; and screening for violence risk, substance use, psychological trauma history, and patient strengths upon admission. The Committee recommended four measures for endorsement.