Perceived impact by administrators of psychiatric emergency services after changes in a state's mental health system

Intervention to reduce inpatient psychiatric admission in a metropolitan city

When psychiatric hospitalization is over-used, it represents a financial drain and failure of care. We evaluated implementation and cessation of transporting people medically certified for psychiatric hospitalization to a central psychiatric emergency service for management and re-evaluation of hospitalization need. After implementation, the hospitalization rate declined 89% for 346 transported patients; only four of the nonhospitalized patients presented in crisis again in the next 30 days. Following cessation, the hospitalization rate jumped 59% compared to the preceding year. Costs declined 78.7% per diverted patient. The findings indicate that it is possible to reduce hospitalization and costs, and maintain quality care.

Emergency psychiatric care for children and adolescents: a literature review

OBJECTIVES

Over the years, increasing numbers of children and adolescents have sought help for acute psychiatric problems. The responses to this treatment-seeking behavior are heterogeneous in different settings and nations. This review aimed to provide an answer to the questions "which care should be offered to children and adolescents presenting with a psychiatric emergency or crisis and how should it be organized."

METHODS

We committed a literature review to find out if any recommendations can be made regarding the organization of emergency care for children and adolescents with acute mental health problems.

RESULTS

The lack of a clear definition of emergencies or urgencies hampered this review; we note the differences between adult and child or adolescent psychiatry. The theoretical models of care found in the literature are built up from several process and structural components, which we describe in greater detail. Furthermore, we review the main service delivery models that exist for children and adolescents.

CONCLUSIONS

Currently, emergency psychiatric care for children and adolescents is practiced within a wide range of care models. There is no consensus on recommended care or recommended setting for this population. More research is needed to make exact recommendations on the standardization of psychiatric care for young people in emergency settings.

Implementation of Massachusetts health insurance reform with vulnerable populations in a safety-net setting

This qualitative study examines the experience of racial and ethnic minorities receiving behavioral health care in a safety net setting during the early process of health insurance reform in Massachusetts. Three rounds of interviews were conducted between August 2007 and May 2009, collecting information from patients (n=65) on the experience of health reform and delivery of mental health care. Four categories of enrollees transitioning into health reform emerged over the course of the study that grouped into a typology of experiences with reform: early enrollees, middle enrollees, late enrollees, and multiple switchers. With support, a majority of the sample transitioned smoothly to the new health insurance mechanisms. However, some experienced administrative confusion and disruption in mental health care during the transition. Administrative policies providing special accommodations for individuals with mental health disorders and other vulnerable populations may be important to consider during the transition to health insurance reform.