Athelas testing device to streamline Clozapine monitoring for patients with Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia (TRS)

The Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) has successfully implemented the Athelas Point-of-Care (POC) testing device to streamline Clozapine monitoring for patients with Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia (TRS).

The program equipped the DBH Phoenix clinic in San Bernardino with the POC device, provided staff training, and integrated testing directly into clinic operations, offering a convenient, on-site alternative to traditional blood draws and lab visits. This not only enhances accessibility but also represents a model among California counties.

The DBH team – led by Dr. J. Craig Moffat, MD, MS, FAPA, primary Clozapine Nurse Pam Apostolou, APRN, and Business Systems Analyst Dr. Ray Seraile, DBA, MBA, MA, PMP – has improved access to essential Clozapine treatment by integrating Athelas into clinic workflows, with plans to expand this model to additional locations, including the Mesa Clinic in Rialto, Mariposa Clinic in Ontario and the Victorville Clinic.

Limited access to Clozapine left a significant gap in treating TRS in county clinics, where fewer than expected patients received this treatment. The team addressed this by establishing onsite lab services for blood testing, aligning with the county’s regulatory responsibilities for quality mental healthcare, while reducing barriers to access.

Since implementation, Clozapine therapy access has surged by 576 percent, with monthly visits increasing from three to 15. Onsite testing reduced non-billable tasks by 50 percent, boosting revenue by $2,337 weekly, and 90 percent of patients prefer onsite testing.

For more information about the Department of Behavioral Health, please visit: https://wp.sbcounty.gov/dbh/.

Additional County Update News – November 7, 2024