Saint Clare’s Hospital is the Designated Psychiatric Screening Service for Morris County Residents. Psychiatric Emergency and Psychiatric Screening Services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These services are designed to meet the needs of those in acute emotional crisis, in which immediate psychiatric intervention is needed. A person seeking Psychiatric Screening Services will initially be seen in the medical emergency department for a medical screening exam. The purpose of this exam is to rule out a medical / metabolic condition that may cause current symptoms. Upon completion of the medical screening exam, the person will be referred to Psychiatric Emergency Services for a clinical interview and assessment of current mental status. The Psychiatric Screeners will interview the designated client, collateral resources, and all relevant clinical data will be documented. The staff will subsequently call the on call psychiatrist for a case discussion and disposition. Potential outcomes of disposition may be outpatient services, inpatient services (voluntary / involuntary), partial hospitalization, the children’s inpatient crisis intervention unit, and the detoxification unit.

The department also provide mobile response to all towns in Morris County. If a person is deemed to be a danger to themselves, others, property or unable to provide for basic self-care in the community, the Mobile Screening component of this service, in conjunction with local law enforcement, can meet the client at their residence and assess whether they meet the criteria for Involuntary Commitment. If the screener determines that the client does meet that criteria, arrangements are made with the accompanying law enforcement to transfer the client to the Screening Center or to the nearest emergency room. Evaluation and consolations will continue on site upon arrival.