(This story was updated with new information.)
WEST PALM BEACH — Palm Beach County commissioners want to know why HCA Florida JFK North Hospital in West Palm Beach has decided with little notice to stop hospitalizing Baker Act patients under the age of 12.
Under Florida’s Baker Act law, a person can be involuntarily held in a mental health facility for up to 72 hours if they pose a threat to themselves or others. About 100 children under the age of 12 in the county are hospitalized each year through the Baker Act, said Tammy Fields, an assistant county administrator.
A statement released by JFK North on Monday, Dec. 2 said the hospital, on 45th Street just east of Interstate 95, will focus on patients age 12 to 17. That age range “is the largest population amongst youth needing this level of support,” the statement said.
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Children under 12 needing in-patient care must go to Broward, Fort Pierce
Fields told commissioners during the Nov. 19 board meeting that the county had learned of the hospital’s decision in early November. She said that as the result of the decision, Baker Act patients under the age of 12 will now have to be taken either to Fort Pierce or to Broward County for inpatient care.
“They (the children) can still be brought in for evaluation but there will be no inpatient care after Dec. 1,” Fields said.
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Commissioner Maria Sachs wants hospital administrators to appear at a commission meeting to explain their decision.
“This is very serious,” Sachs said at the meeting. “I want them here to explain why they decided to do what they have done. To give us so little time to respond is wrong. We need to address this as soon as possible.
“Why would they deny our children this very important service?”
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In the statement, JFK North officials said that they intend to “work closely with our Palm Beach community behavioral health providers and nearby hospitals in Broward, Martin, and St. Lucie counties that offer similar behavioral health services to support a seamless transition to meet the needs of children and their families throughout the region.”
It also said: “We will always treat anyone of any age who comes to our ER in need of medical care.”
County Mayor Maria Marino said she was disappointed with the decision but noted that JFK North is a private hospital and “can do whatever it wants.”
Commissioners instructed County Administrator Verdenia Baker to work with the Health Care District and the school board to find solutions to the issue. In a statement to The Palm Beach Post on Tuesday, Dec. 10 the Health Care District said it has expanded outpatient resources to ensure that pediatric patients can be treated in a timely manner.
“The District has already expanded resources to ensure pediatric patients needing mental health assistance can get an appointment within one business day — but we always aim to get them in sooner,” the statement said. “Additionally, the District has coordinated with High Ridge Family Center to fill care gaps for their pediatric patients via outpatient or telehealth appointments.”
Health Care District officials said in ensuring outpatient resources are available for pediatric patients, their goal is to prevent the crisis point and alleviate the reliance on Baker Acts and inpatient admissions through continued psychiatric care and therapy.
Those in need of assistance are asked to call the Health Care District’s community health center at (561) 642-1000 to make an outpatient pediatric mental healthcare appointment. Walk-in care is available at the Delray Beach Community Health Center, 200 Congress Park Drive, Suite 100, Delray Beach from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at [email protected].
Mike Diamond is a journalist atThe Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He covers Palm Beach County government. You can reach him at [email protected].
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