Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT)

Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT) is a coordinated crisis response team of pediatric providers who have received high-level de-escalation and mental health training to help when a child is at risk for or is experiencing an acute behavioral crisis. The team is called in when the child's behavior is jeopardizing their own safety, and/or the safety of other patients and staff.

The goal is to provide earlier identification, assessment, and treatment for any patient at risk for or experiencing acute behavioral events during a procedure, emergency, or inpatient stay across Golisano Children's Hospital.

Our response team will come together when needed and may include advanced practice providers (APPs), certified registered nurses (CRNs), a behavioral analyst (if available), and a resident. We are available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.

Safety Planning and Response

Our team engages in a huddle to plan a proactive response to early signs of escalation; discuss any needed changes to their safety plan; and problem solve ahead of a potential crisis. When an urgent response is required (for example, when a child is at risk for harming themselves or others), the team responds immediately (STAT).

Benefits for Patients and Families

• Improves patient behavior and helps ensure children get the care they need
• Provides families with de-escalation techniques that can be used at home after discharge
• Decreases the need for restraints and protective holds (with the goal to prevent or avoid these if at all possible)
• Decreases the severity of your child's behavior

If you anticipate needing our BERT team for an upcoming visit or have questions, please contact your child's doctor and they can communicate with our team before admission.

Locations

Our team currently serves the following units:

• Inpatient units - general care (8th and 7th, excluding the NICU, PICU, PCICU)
• Pediatric imaging
• Floor boarders in the Pediatric Surgical Center (PACU)