OpenBeds Online System Provides Real-Time Inventory of Available MH and SUD Resources

To improve public health outcomes and increase access to behavioral health services, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OHMHAS) established the Ohio Behavioral Health Connection (B-CON), powered by the “OpenBeds” solution. B-CON is an online behavioral health capacity management and referral solution, which replaces the old, outdated processes of referring a client for services, by creating a single application to refer, share, and communicate about service and in-patient bed availability. Through state sponsorship, providers are able to utilize the OpenBeds system to make and receive mental health and substance use treatment referrals.

OpenBeds helps to support processes, create connections, and gives visibility to behavioral health treatment services statewide. It supports providers by sharing access to an embedded patient assessment tool, real-time inventory of available mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) resources for rapid referral to care and support for proper transitions of care.

Network services include:

• Outpatient mental health and substance use disorder services.
• Inpatient psychiatric and crisis services.
• Residential SUD services.
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) programs.
• Peer support programs.

Additional information about regions served, network partners, and the overall impact of the OpenBeds system can be found on their OpenBeds Fact Sheet. Additional standards and guidelines, Referring & Receiving Administrator User Guides, and virtual training for the utilization of the OpenBeds system is available on the B-CON website. Additional questions about the Ohio Behavioral Health Connection and OpenBeds system can be emailed to [email protected].