Special to IFN
RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services has announced major updates to the statewide online mental health bed registry that will reduce wait times and ensure people in crisis receive care as soon as possible. The Behavioral Health Statewide Central Availability Navigator (BH SCAN) is now updated hourly instead of once per day and has been integrated with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 988 to connect mobile crisis teams when they are dispatched to someone in crisis to let them know the availability of mental health beds in their area.
“Making BH SCAN available to 988 counselors and improving its accuracy with automated updates will make it easier for people in North Carolina to receive the care they need and deserve in a more coordinated effort,” said N.C. Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. “This innovative partnership between providers and facilities across the state is one of the ways we are working to support a mental health care system that works for everyone, ensuring a healthier North Carolina.”
The Automated Bed Availability (ABA) function of BH SCAN provides real-time data to providers and hospitals across the state who are searching for an available mental health care bed. Previously, BH SCAN relied on manual daily updates by hospital staff, a process that reduces the accuracy of the system and can result in delays in finding an available bed. The new automated bed feature ensures providers can accurately and quickly find placement for their patients across the state and at all levels of care. North Carolina is the first in the country to have the hourly ABA function of BH SCAN.
Additionally, making BH SCAN available to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline call center allows 988 dispatchers to connect to BH SCAN for mental health bed availability in the caller’s area to make sure there are no disruptions to care.
Since its launch in January 2023, BH SCAN has grown significantly. The system now provides up-to-date information for more than 3,500 mental health care beds in 112 facilities across the state. This includes inpatient psychiatric beds, alcohol and drug abuse treatment centers, substance use disorder care, behavioral health urgent care, pediatric residential care, facility-based care and state hospitals. BH SCAN also gives insight into how well the mental health crisis system is working, as it gives insight on the gap between licensed and operational beds as well as open beds.
BH SCAN is a secure portal that allows referring facilities to search for an appropriate and available inpatient bed based on multiple search criteria, including demographics, acuity, commitment status and location. With approximately 3,200 inpatient psychiatric beds statewide, BH SCAN now provides visibility into 80 percent of the state’s total inpatient psychiatric bed capacity, with more beds expected to be added.
In 2024, NCDHHS successfully piloted ABA with UNC, Daymark and Alexander Youth Network, becoming the first in the nation to successfully automate hourly bed availability. The ABA enhancement to BH SCAN began rolling out statewide in North Carolina this year, improving accuracy of mental health care beds available throughout the day. The goal is to have all providers on the system by early 2027.
When the ABA expansion went live, North Carolina experienced a 1,400 percent increase in bed updates per day, meaning providers were easily able to see current information about available beds.
“BH SCAN is one of many investments made by NCDHHS to build resilience and strengthen our system of care to ensure everyone gets the care they need in the place that is convenient to them,” said Kelly Crosbie, director of NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Disorders. “Finding an appropriate bed based on someone’s medical needs can be a time-intensive process. BH SCAN is helping simplify this so people receive help quicker.”
In addition to the hospitals and providers using BH SCAN, 42 county DSS offices have been integrated into the system, enabling them to make referrals. BH SCAN is one effort of many to improve access to mental health care in North Carolina and support a connected system of care that works for everyone. To learn more about NCDHHS’s efforts to increase mental health care in North Carolina, read the 2025 annual progress report on the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services 2024-2029 strategic plan.