scholarly journals Children’s Mental Health Visits to the Emergency Department: Factors Affecting Wait Times and Length of Stay

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda S. Newton ◽  
Sachin Rathee ◽  
Simran Grewal ◽  
Nadia Dow ◽  
Rhonda J. Rosychuk
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Wait Time ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Hazard Ratios ◽  
Laboratory Investigations ◽  
Logistic Regressions ◽  
Pediatric Mental Health ◽  
Triage Level

Objective. This study explores the association of patient and emergency department (ED) mental health visit characteristics with wait time and length of stay (LOS).Methods. We examined data from 580 ED mental health visits made to two urban EDs by children aged ≤18 years from April 1, 2004, to March 31, 2006. Logistic regressions identified characteristics associated with wait time and LOS using hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).Results. Sex (male:HR=1.48, 95%CI=1.20–1.84), ED type (pediatric ED:HR=5.91, 95%CI=4.16–8.39), and triage level (Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) 2:HR=3.62, 95%CI=2.24–5.85) were statistically significant predictors of wait time. ED type (pediatric ED:HR=1.71, 95%CI=1.18–2.46), triage level (CTAS 5:HR=2.00, 95%CI=1.15–3.48), number of consultations (HR=0.46, 95%CI=0.31–0.69), and number of laboratory investigations (HR=0.75, 95%CI=0.66–0.85) predicted LOS.Conclusions. Based on our results, quality improvement initiatives to reduce ED waits and LOS for pediatric mental health visits may consider monitoring triage processes and the availability, access, and/or time to receipt of specialty consultations.

Reducing length of stay and return visits for emergency department pediatric mental health presentations

CJEM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-110
Author(s):  
Takuro Ishikawa ◽  
Benetta Chin ◽  
Garth Meckler ◽  
Christy Hay ◽  
Quynh Doan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Return Visits ◽  
Pediatric Mental Health

scholarly journals Analysis of Factors Affecting the Length of Stay in the Emergency Department for Critically Ill Patients Transferred to Regional Emergency Medical Centers

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyungbok Lee ◽  
Sangrim Lee ◽  
Hyeoneui Kim
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Emergency Operation ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Interhospital Transfer ◽  
Triage Level

Abstract BackgroundTransferring an emergency patient to another emergency department (ED) is necessary when she/he is unable to receive necessary treatment from the first visited ED, although the transfer poses potential risks for adverse clinical outcomes and lowering the quality of emergency medical services by overcrowding the transferred ED. This study aimed to understand the factors affecting the ED length of stay (LOS) of critically ill patients and to investigate whether they are receiving prompt treatment through Interhospital Transfer (IHT).MethodsThis study analyzed 968 critically ill patients transferred to the ED of the study site in 2019. Machine learning based prediction models were built to predict the ED LOS dichotomized as greater than 6 hours or less. Explanatory variables in patient characteristics, clinical characteristics, transfer-related characteristics, and ED characteristics were selected through univariate analyses.ResultsAmong the prediction models, the Logistic Regression (AUC 0.85) model showed the highest prediction performance, followed by Random Forest (AUC 0.83) and Naïve Bayes (AUC 0.83). The Logistic Regression model suggested that the need for emergency operation or angiography (OR 3.91, 95% CI=1.65–9.21), the need for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission (OR 3.84, 95% CI=2.53–5.83), fewer consultations (OR 3.57, 95% CI=2.84–4.49), a high triage level (OR 2.27, 95% CI=1.43–3.59), and fewer diagnoses (OR 1.32, 95% CI=1.09–1.61) coincided with a higher likelihood of 6-hour-or-less stays in the ED. Furthermore, an interhospital transfer handoff led to significantly shorter ED LOS among the patients who needed emergency operation or angiography, or ICU admission, or had a high triage level.ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest that patients prioritized in emergency treatment receive prompt intervention and leave the ED in time. Also, having a proper interhospital transfer handoff before IHT is crucial to provide efficient care and avoid unnecessarily longer stay in ED.

Prolonged Emergency Department Length of Stay for US Pediatric Mental Health Visits (2005–2015)

PEDIATRICS ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 147 (5) ◽  
pp. e2020030692
Author(s):  
Katherine A. Nash ◽  
Bonnie T. Zima ◽  
Craig Rothenberg ◽  
Jennifer Hoffmann ◽  
Claudia Moreno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Pediatric Mental Health

scholarly journals 1A Nationwide Analysis of U.S. Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Emergency Department Patients with Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Weinreb ◽  
Penina Gavrilova ◽  
Jonathan Avery ◽  
Sean M. Murphy ◽  
Jyotishman Pathak
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Wait Time ◽  
Wait Times ◽  
Hispanic Patients ◽  
Racial Ethnic ◽  
Triage Level ◽  
Hispanic White ◽  
White Patients

Abstract BackgroundRacial and ethnic health disparities have been linked with inequalities in access to health care and outcomes. The present study considers whether inequalities persist between racial/ethnic groups among patients with mental health or substance use disorders who visit the emergency department (ED). MethodsWe analyzed data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) from 2012-2018, assessing health disparities among patients diagnosed with mental health or substance use disorders by observing whether significant differences exist in ED wait time and length of visit (LOV) for patients of different races/ethnicities. Stratified models were performed to further understand the impact of regions across the U.S., year, and triage level on the association analysis. ResultsFrom 2012-2018, non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic patients experienced significantly longer ED wait times and LOV as compared to White patients. Patients with private insurance experienced significantly shorter wait times compared to patients with self-pay, and shorter LOV than those with Medicaid/ Children’s Health Insurance Program, or Medicare. Male patients had significantly longer LOV compared to female patients. We observed year by year differences in wait times of non-Hispanic Black patients with improvement appearing between the years 2013 to 2016, while LOV remained consistently longer. We observed both regional and triage level differences, with the U.S. Northeast presenting with the most disparities. Additionally, we noted a general upward trend of SUD diagnoses. Conclusion Our analysis suggests that while there has been an overall improvement in median ED wait time through the years, non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic patients experience significantly longer ED wait time compared to non-Hispanic White patients. Additionally, non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic patients have a significantly longer ED LOV compared to non-Hispanic White patients.

scholarly journals The impact of the Emergency Department target upon the discharge decision for people who self-harm

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-97
Author(s):  
Michael Brian Haslam ◽  
Emma S. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Wait Time ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Patient Journey ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Target Time ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to consider the influence of the Emergency Department (ED) target wait time upon the discharge decision in ED, specifically for patients who have self-harmed. Pressures to discharge patients to avoid breaching the 4-h target wait time, potentially increase the risk of adverse responses from clinicians. For the patient who has self-harmed, such interactions may be experienced as invalidating and may result in adverse outcomes. Design/methodology/approach Secondary data analysis was applied to the retrospective referral data of a Mental Health Liaison Team (MHLT), collected over a period of 11 months from a single hospital in the North of England. In total, 734 episodes of care were referred to the team from ED, where the primary presentation was recorded as self-harm. Findings Over half of patients referred to the MHLT from ED having self-harmed were seen after already breaching the target and the potential for a more restrictive outcome reduced. Of those patients seen within 4 h, the potential for a more restrictive treatment option was increased. Practical implications Recommendations to improve the patient journey for those who have self-harmed include mental health triage and treatment in clinical areas outside of the target. Social implications This study challenges the concept of the target as being realistic and attainable for patients who have self-harmed. Originality/value This exploratory study provides a starting point from which to explore the impact of the target time upon discharge decisions and clinical outcomes specifically for those who have self-harmed.

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