The Spravato® Treatment Clinic at Anaheim Community Hospital provides FDA-approved esketamine nasal spray therapy for adults diagnosed with Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD). Administered in a certified, medically supervised outpatient suite serving Anaheim, Buena Park, Fullerton, Garden Grove, and all of Orange County.
Covered by Medicare and Most Commercial Insurance Plans | Certified REMS Facility
Major depressive disorder can be relentless, especially when standard oral medications fail to deliver meaningful relief. When you or a loved one have tried multiple antidepressants without success, you have reached a clinical crossroad—not an end to your treatment options.
At Anaheim Community Hospital, our dedicated outpatient psychiatric team offers Spravato® (esketamine), an innovative, rapid-acting prescription therapy designed specifically for adults who continue to experience debilitating symptoms despite past treatment efforts.
Take the First Step: What to Expect During Your Treatment
To help you and your family understand our outpatient process, watch our clinic walk-through outlining each stage of care—from your initial phone assessment to on-site pharmacy dispensing and comfortable post-dose observation.
Step-by-step overview of the Spravato® treatment journey at Anaheim Community Hospital.
What Is Spravato®?
Spravato® is an FDA-approved prescription nasal spray derived from esketamine, the S-enantiomer of ketamine. Unlike traditional oral antidepressants that can take several weeks or months to yield noticeable change, Spravato is engineered to work rapidly on distinct neurochemical pathways in the brain.
Traditional antidepressants—such as SSRIs and SNRIs—primarily adjust monoamine neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Spravato acts as an NMDA receptor antagonist, modulating glutamate, the brain’s most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter. By doing so, it promotes neuroplasticity and synaptogenesis, helping restore neural connections in brain regions responsible for mood regulation, emotional processing, and cognitive clarity.
Because Spravato targets these pathways directly, many patients report symptomatic relief within hours or days rather than weeks.
Who Qualifies for Spravato Treatment?
Spravato is indicated for adults (18+) who meet specific clinical criteria established by the FDA and clinical practice guidelines:
Clinical Eligibility Criteria:
- Diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): Adults experiencing ongoing moderate-to-severe depression.
- Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD): Inadequate improvement following trials of at least two different antidepressant medications taken at therapeutic doses for an adequate trial duration during the current depressive episode.
- Combination Therapy: Spravato is taken in conjunction with an ongoing oral antidepressant to support comprehensive, long-term stabilization.
- Medical Safety Clearance: Patients are evaluated to confirm the absence of vascular conditions that could present risks, such as uncontrolled severe hypertension, vascular aneurysms, or a history of intracerebral hemorrhage.
If you are unsure whether your medication history meets criteria, our clinical team will evaluate your treatment history during your complimentary assessment.
How Spravato Compares to Alternative Depression Therapies
Spravato® (Esketamine) vs. IV Ketamine Infusions
While both compounds act on NMDA receptors, Spravato is FDA-approved specifically for treatment-resistant depression and is covered by Medicare and most major commercial health plans. IV ketamine infusions are administered off-label for depression, are rarely covered by insurance, and require substantial out-of-pocket costs. Spravato is administered as a non-invasive nasal spray under standard REMS safety guidelines without intravenous needles.
Spravato® vs. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has historically been an option for severe treatment-resistant depression, but it requires general anesthesia, muscle relaxants, and carries potential cognitive side effects such as memory loss. Spravato provides an effective pharmacological alternative administered in a calm, outpatient setting while you remain awake and comfortable, with no general anesthesia or systemic memory deficits.
The Spravato Treatment Experience at Anaheim Community Hospital
Because Spravato can cause temporary side effects such as drowsiness, sedation, mild dissociation, or elevated blood pressure, it cannot be taken at home. The FDA mandates administration strictly within a certified Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) healthcare facility.
At Anaheim Community Hospital, every aspect of the treatment environment is built around patient safety, comfort, and clinical excellence:
- Private Treatment Spaces: Patients self-administer the nasal spray under the direct guidance of a specialized registered nurse in a quiet, low-stimulus room.
- Two-Hour Medical Monitoring: Following dosing, you relax in a medical recliner while our clinical nursing staff regularly monitors your blood pressure, comfort, and vital signs for at least two hours.
- Structured Treatment Phases:
- Weeks 1–4 (Induction): Two treatment sessions per week (starting at 56 mg and transitioning to 84 mg).
- Weeks 5–8: One treatment session per week.
- Week 9 and Beyond (Maintenance): One treatment session every one to two weeks, individualized to your ongoing response.
- Mandatory Safe Discharge: Because Spravato may cause temporary sedation or dizziness, patients cannot drive on the day of treatment. We coordinate discharge directly with your verified family member, driver, or caregiver.
The Spravato Referral & Admission Process
We have streamlined the intake and admission process to ensure you or your patient receives prompt, coordinated care:
- Step 1: Initial Phone Contact:
Call our dedicated clinic coordinator at (714) 243-9090. We will conduct a confidential preliminary intake to discuss your history and determine if Spravato is clinically indicated. - Step 2: In-Depth Psychiatric Evaluation:
You will meet with one of our outpatient hospital clinicians for a thorough 2-hour evaluation. We review your past psychiatric treatments, conduct standardized depression rating assessments, and confirm eligibility. - Step 3: Insurance Verification & Prior Authorization:
Our admissions specialists work directly with your insurer to obtain prior authorization (typically secured within 72 hours) and help navigate any copay assistance programs. - Step 4: On-Site Pharmacy Coordination:
Once authorized, our on-site hospital pharmacy dispenses your medication directly to the clinic suite so your treatment begins without logistical delays. - Step 5: Beginning Treatment:
You begin your personalized treatment schedule in our comfortable outpatient suite with continuous support from our experienced nursing and psychiatric team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spravato covered by health insurance?
Yes. Spravato is covered by Medicare and most major commercial insurance providers (including Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare) when clinical documentation confirms Treatment-Resistant Depression. Our hospital intake team verifies your benefits before your first appointment.
Can I drive myself home after my appointment?
No. Because Spravato may cause temporary sedation, dizziness, or dissociation, FDA safety guidelines require that every patient arrange for a trusted driver, family member, or ride service to transport them home following the two-hour observation period.
How quickly will I notice improvement?
Clinical studies demonstrate that many individuals experience noticeable symptom reduction within the first 24 to 48 hours following their initial sessions, compared to several weeks required by traditional oral antidepressants.
Do I need a referral from my current psychiatrist or therapist?
While physician referrals are welcomed, you can also contact us directly to begin an assessment. If you are already working with a psychiatrist or therapist, our team coordinates with them to ensure continuous, collaborative care throughout your treatment.
Take the Next Step: Contact Anaheim Community Hospital
If conventional depression medications have failed to provide relief, advanced clinical care is available. Our specialized outpatient team is here to guide you toward recovery in a safe, compassionate hospital environment.
Assessments and insurance verifications are completely confidential and provided with no obligation.