The PIRC Bridge Clinic – Providing crisis support and alternative psychiatric assessment options

The Psychiatric Intake Response Center (PIRC) provides critical mental health support and Psychiatric Assessments for thousands of area youth each year at the Liberty and Burnet Campus Emergency Departments. PIRC has worked hard to expand services and to enhance support for patients and families experiencing a mental health crisis.

The PIRC Bridge Clinic was created in 2017 to provide alternative psychiatric assessment and stabilization options for patients presenting in a psychiatric crisis. Bridge services include diversion appointments, brief crisis support, and telephonic case management services. The PIRC Bridge Team promotes safety and enhances mental health service delivery for patients and families who are overwhelmed and in need of direction during a crisis. 

Between March 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, approximately 675 patients received a Bridge Diversion appointment as opposed to being evaluated in the Emergency Department by PIRC. During a diversion appointment, the patient receives the Psychiatric Intake Assessment in clinic or via telehealth. Diversion appointments can be accessed by calling PIRC (513-636-4124) during a mental health crisis.  Any caller or referent is connected to a master’s level clinician with the PIRC Crisis Assessment Team. The clinician triages risk, and diversion appointments are offered when an Emergency Department referral is determined to be unnecessary. This decision is based on preliminary triage information, and if the patient meets Bridge criteria.  Diversions are available seven days per week with the goal of scheduling within 24 hours of the crisis call. Approximately 70% of callers who speak with the PIRC Crisis Assessment Team are directed to outpatient resources such as the Bridge Clinic, alternative assessment sources, and various mental health services.

Some patients require additional Bridge crisis support and brief services following an assessment.  These limited crisis appointments focus on re-assessment, safety planning, and service coordination for at-risk patients. Bridge Crisis Medication appointments are also provided by a psychiatrist or nurse practitioner. Appointments include a medication assessment, a brief follow up if needed, and transitional care and collaboration with current providers. Between March 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, approximately 1,240 Bridge Crisis appointments were provided for patients and families. 

In many circumstances, Bridge telephonic case management is offered to ensure connection to services and crisis support. Families respond positively to these care coordination calls and PIRC contact information for future support.

It is helpful for providers and families to call PIRC together if possible, during a mental health crisis. If patients are not with a provider, families may certainly call PIRC directly to speak with the Crisis Assessment Team about concerns.  Providers are also asked to call PIRC with additional referral information to ensure that all risk factors are known and considered when triaging. Please direct families to call PIRC with their crisis concerns versus asking specifically for Bridge at the time of a call. Bridge appropriateness and criteria will be considered including, but not limited to, risk level, age of 17 and under, primary/secondary service area, and developmental appropriateness. Guardians are asked to be present during Bridge appointments and additional Bridge criteria will be reviewed by PIRC at the time of the call.