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Lapsa J, O'Donnell E, Yanek L, Ngo T. From Their Perspective: Pediatric Patients With Acute Mental Health Needs and Prolonged Emergency Department Stays. Pediatr Emerg Care 2024:00006565-990000000-00491. [PMID: 38984526 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000003237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pediatric emergency department (PED) is experiencing a rising volume of patients with mental health concerns, leading to prolonged boarding times and delays in initiating active therapeutic plans. A paucity of research exists for the self-reported pediatric patient experience during such boarding. OBJECTIVES To inform more individualized and patient-centered PED care for patients boarding for mental health admission, by learning the prior trauma experiences and patient perspective on prolonged PED mental health stays. METHODS A convenience sample was collected at an urban hospital's PED among those boarding for mental health emergency greater than 24 hours. Demographic information, exposures to past trauma, and perceptions on and understanding of their care experience, were discussed. Descriptive and thematic content analysis were used for data analysis. RESULTS A total of 99 youths were included in the study and the majority reported worsening mental health symptoms during PED boarding, notably increasing anxiety (72 [72.7%]). Patients were equivocal on efficacy of PED mental health intake on symptoms (41 [41.4%]). Personal suggestions were offered by these patients to guide the care of future children that would better mitigate their symptoms while boarding in the PED, such as group activities, electronics, and physical activity. DISCUSSION Patients in mental health crisis boarding in the PED have already experienced stressful life events. By listening to the personal stories of this vulnerable population, the PED can improve care delivery and design a more therapeutic environment, especially as the need for acute mental health management continues to increase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julianne Lapsa
- From the Department of Emergency Medicine, INOVA Children's Hospital, Fairfax, VA
| | - Erin O'Donnell
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Lisa Yanek
- Division of General Internal Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Thuy Ngo
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospitals, St. Petersburg, FL
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Santillanes G, Foster AA, Ishimine P, Berg K, Cheng T, Deitrich A, Heniff M, Hooley G, Pulcini C, Ruttan T, Sorrentino A, Waseem M, Saidinejad M. Management of youth with suicidal ideation: Challenges and best practices for emergency departments. J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open 2024; 5:e13141. [PMID: 38571489 PMCID: PMC10989674 DOI: 10.1002/emp2.13141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Suicide is a leading cause of death among youth, and emergency departments (EDs) play an important role in caring for youth with suicidality. Shortages in outpatient and inpatient mental and behavioral health capacity combined with a surge in ED visits for youth with suicidal ideation (SI) and self-harm challenge many EDs in the United States. This review highlights currently identified best practices that all EDs can implement in suicide screening, assessment of youth with self-harm and SI, care for patients awaiting inpatient psychiatric care, and discharge planning for youth determined not to require inpatient treatment. We will also highlight several controversies and challenges in implementation of these best practices in the ED. An enhanced continuum of care model recommended for youth with mental and behavioral health crises utilizes crisis lines, mobile crisis units, crisis receiving and stabilization units, and also maximizes interventions in home- and community-based settings. However, while local systems work to enhance continuum capacity, EDs remain a critical part of crisis care. Currently, EDs face barriers to providing optimal treatment for youth in crisis due to inadequate resources including the ability to obtain emergent mental health consultations via on-site professionals, telepsychiatry, and ED transfer agreements. To reduce ED utilization and better facilitate safe dispositions from EDs, the expansion of community- and home-based services, pediatric-receiving crisis stabilization units, inpatient psychiatric services, among other innovative solutions, is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genevieve Santillanes
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USCLos Angeles General Medical CenterLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Ashley A. Foster
- Department of Emergency MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Paul Ishimine
- Departments of Emergency Medicine and PediatricsUniversity of California, San Diego School of Medicine, UC San Diego Health and Rady Children's HospitalSan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Kathleen Berg
- Department of Pediatrics, Dell Medical SchoolThe University of TexasAustinTexasUSA
| | - Tabitha Cheng
- Department of Emergency MedicineHarbor UCLA Medical CenterDavid Geffen School of Medicine at UCLALos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Ann Deitrich
- Division Chief Pediatric Emergency MedicineDepartment of Emergency MedicinePrisma HealthUniversity of South Carolina School of MedicineGreenvilleSouth CarolinaUSA
| | - Melanie Heniff
- Departments of Emergency Medicine and PediatricsIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA
| | - Gwen Hooley
- Division of Emergency and Transport MedicineChildren's Hospital Los AngelesLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Christian Pulcini
- Department of Emergency Medicine and PediatricsUniversity of Vermont Larner College of MedicineBurlingtonVermontUSA
| | - Timothy Ruttan
- Department of PediatricsDell Medical SchoolThe University of Texas at Austin. US Acute Care SolutionsCantonOhioUSA
| | - Annalise Sorrentino
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Emergency MedicineUniversity of AlabamaBirminghamAlabamaUSA
| | - Muhammad Waseem
- Lincoln Medical Center, Bronx New York; Weill Cornell MedicineNew YorkUSA
| | - Mohsen Saidinejad
- Departments of Emergency Medicine and PediatricsDavid Geffen School of Medicine at UCLALos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor UCLATorranceCaliforniaUSA
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Manuel MM, Yen K, Feng SY, Patel F. The burden of mental and behavioral health visits to the pediatric ED: A 3-year tertiary care center experience. Child Adolesc Ment Health 2023; 28:488-496. [PMID: 36794694 DOI: 10.1111/camh.12638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The shortage of mental health services across the United States has turned pediatric emergency departments (PEDs) into safety-nets for the increasing population of children with mental and behavioral health (MBH) needs. This study provides a descriptive characterization of MBH-related PED visits, the trends in visit, ED length of stay (EDLOS), and admission rate. METHODS We reviewed electronic health records of children ≤18 years with MBH needs, who visited the PED of a large tertiary hospital from January 2017 to December 2019. We performed descriptive statistics, chi-square (χ2 ), and logistic regression analyses to evaluate trend in visit, EDLOS, admission rate, and predictors of prolonged EDLOS and inpatient admission. RESULTS Of 10,167 patients, 58.4% were females, median age was 13.8 years, and 86.1% were adolescents. On average, visits increased by 19.7% annually, with a 43.3% increase over 3 years. Common ED diagnoses include, suicidality (56.2%), depression (33.5%), overdose/poisoning, and substance use (18.8%), and agitation/aggression (10.7%). Median EDLOS was 5.3 hr, average admission rate was 26.3%, with 20.7% boarding in the ED for >10 hr. Independent predictors of admission include depression (pOR: 1.5, CI: 1.3-1.7), bipolar disorder (pOR: 3.5, CI: 2.4-5.1), overdose/substance use disorder (pOR: 4.7, CI: 4.0-5.6), psychosis (pOR: 3.3, CI: 1.5-7.3), agitation/aggression (pOR: 1.8, CI: 1.5-2.1), and ADHD (pOR: 2.5, CI: 2.0-3.0). Principal independent driver of prolonged EDLOS was patient admission/transfer status (pOR: 5.3, CI: 4.6-6.1). CONCLUSIONS Given the study results, MBH-related PED visits, ED length-of-stay, and admission rates continue to rise even in recent years. PEDs lack the resources and capability to provide high-quality care for the increasing population of children with MBH needs. Novel collaborative approaches and strategies are urgently needed to find lasting solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias M Manuel
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine, TeamHealth/Children's Health, Plano, TX, USA
| | - Kenneth Yen
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Children's Health Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Sing-Yi Feng
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Children's Health Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA
- North Texas Poison Center, Parkland Health and Hospital System, Dallas, TX, USA
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4
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Stubbs JM, Chong S, Achat HM, Brakoulias V. Sociodemographic characteristics and clinical outcomes for people presenting to emergency departments with mental health diagnoses. Int Emerg Nurs 2023; 71:101372. [PMID: 37852061 DOI: 10.1016/j.ienj.2023.101372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospital emergency departments (EDs) are experiencing a growth in presentations with mental health (MH) diagnoses. AIM Describe and compare sociodemographic characteristics and clinical outcomes for people with MH and non-MH diagnoses. METHODS A retrospective study examined routinely collected data for ED presentations in a health district in western Sydney, Australia from 2016 to 2019. Regression models examined variables according to MH status, overall and by age. RESULTS Individuals with MH diagnoses accounted for 3.4% of 647,787 ED presentations. MH presentations were most commonly female (51.5%), aged 16-39 years (62.5%), arrived after hours (60.3%) and via ambulance (52.8%). MH presentations were more likely to be triaged category 2 (OR = 1.58,95%CI = 1.54-1.63) and not seen on time (OR = 1.20,95%CI = 1.17-1.24). They had higher odds of a longer ED stay (OR = 1.96,95%CI = 1.90-20.1), after which they were less likely to be admitted (OR = 0.56, 95%CI = 0.55-0.58) and more likely to be transferred (OR = 3.81,95%CI = 3.66-3.97) or leave before treatment was completed (OR = 1.83,95%CI = 1.74-1.92). CONCLUSION Characteristics and outcomes for people presenting to ED with a MH diagnosis significantly differ from those without a MH diagnosis. Provision of timely care is a particular concern. Identifying causes for delays within and external to the ED, and implementing targeted strategies to ameliorate them are required to optimise care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne M Stubbs
- Epidemiology and Health Analytics, Western Sydney Local Health District, North Parramatta, NSW, Australia.
| | - Shanley Chong
- Epidemiology and Health Analytics, Western Sydney Local Health District, North Parramatta, NSW, Australia.
| | - Helen M Achat
- Epidemiology and Health Analytics, Western Sydney Local Health District, North Parramatta, NSW, Australia.
| | - Vlasios Brakoulias
- Mental Health Service, Western Sydney Local Health District, Westmead, NSW, Australia; School of Medicine and Translational Health Research Institute (THRI), Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Specialty of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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5
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Laporte N, Hechtman L, Rousseau C, Greenfield B. Striking a balance: triage and crisis intervention models within the pediatric emergency room. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1277095. [PMID: 37920538 PMCID: PMC10618677 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1277095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Laporte
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Lily Hechtman
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Montreal Children's Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Cécile Rousseau
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Montreal Children's Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Brian Greenfield
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Montreal Children's Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Saidinejad M, Duffy S, Wallin D, Hoffmann JA, Joseph MM, Schieferle Uhlenbrock J, Brown K, Waseem M, Snow S, Andrew M, Kuo AA, Sulton C, Chun T, Lee LK. The Management of Children and Youth With Pediatric Mental and Behavioral Health Emergencies. Pediatrics 2023; 152:e2023063256. [PMID: 37584106 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2023-063256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Mental and behavioral health (MBH) visits of children and youth to emergency departments are increasing in the United States. Reasons for these visits range from suicidal ideation, self-harm, and eating and substance use disorders to behavioral outbursts, aggression, and psychosis. Despite the increase in prevalence of these conditions, the capacity of the health care system to screen, diagnose, and manage these patients continues to decline. Several social determinants also contribute to great disparities in child and adolescent (youth) health, which affect MBH outcomes. In addition, resources and space for emergency physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and prehospital practitioners to manage these patients remain limited and inconsistent throughout the United States, as is financial compensation and payment for such services. This technical report discusses the role of physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners, and provides guidance for the management of acute MBH emergencies in children and youth. Unintentional ingestions and substance use disorder are not within the scope of this report and are not specifically discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Saidinejad
- Department of Clinical Emergency Medicine & Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Institute for Health Services and Outcomes Research, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor UCLA, and Department of Emergency Medicine, Harbor UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Susan Duffy
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Dina Wallin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California San Francisco, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco, California
| | - Jennifer A Hoffmann
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Evanston, Illinois
| | - Madeline M Joseph
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, University of Florida Health Sciences Center, Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida
| | | | - Kathleen Brown
- Emergency Medicine and Trauma Center, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Muhammad Waseem
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Lincoln Medical Center, Bronx, New York
| | - Sally Snow
- Independent Consultant, Pediatric Emergency and Trauma Nursing
| | | | - Alice A Kuo
- Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Carmen Sulton
- Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, CPG Sedation Services, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Egleston, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Thomas Chun
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Departments of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, Hasbro Children's Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Medicine at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Lois K Lee
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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7
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Guernsey DT, Slobod E, Silver M, Cohen L, Ali A, Toure A, Zerzan J. The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric mental health: A pediatric emergency department's perspective. Am J Emerg Med 2023; 71:95-98. [PMID: 37354895 PMCID: PMC10268946 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2023.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric mental health visits in the United States has become a public health crisis. Pediatric emergency departments (PED) encounter these patients during mental health emergencies. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the social environment of pediatric patients which potentially lead to new and worsening mental health issues. This study examined the proportion of mental health visits to PED around the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS This retrospective cohort study assessed the proportion of mental health visits at a urban, PED between September 2019 to February 2022. Inclusion criteria were subjects aged 6 to 18 years with a holding order assigned, and one of identified mental health International Classification of Disease, Tenth Division (ICD-10) codes: F01-F99, T14.19, R45, R46.89. Proportion of mental health visits were compared in 6-month periods with the first 6-months representing the pre-COVID-19 period. Secondary analysis compared demographic information and ICD-10 codes. RESULTS A total of 1036 charts were studied: 126 charts from 2019 to 2020, 512 from 2020 to 2021, and 398 from 2021 to 2022. The proportion of mental health visits from September 2019 to February 2020 was 1.4%, and for the following 6-month periods, the proportion of mental health visits was 1.2%, 7.5%, 4.9%, and 5.7%. There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) demonstrating a higher proportion of mental health visits after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Secondary analysis demonstrated statistically significant difference in both median age (p < 0.001) and median length of hospitalization (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION This study demonstrated a significant increase in pediatric mental health visits following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe further investigation into the needs and management during acute surges will improve the care we provide to this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- David T Guernsey
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
| | - Elina Slobod
- Department of Psychiatry, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Michael Silver
- Department of Research Administration, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Lea Cohen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Ayesha Ali
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - April Toure
- Department of Psychiatry, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Jessica Zerzan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
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Zorovich EV, Kothari K, Adelgais K, Alter R, Mojica L, Salinas A, Auerbach M, Adams C, Fishe J. Prehospital Management of Pediatric Behavioral Health Emergencies: A Scoping Review. Cureus 2023; 15:e38840. [PMID: 37303422 PMCID: PMC10254945 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.38840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric behavioral health emergencies (BHE) are increasing in prevalence, yet there are no evidence-based guidelines or protocols for prehospital management. The primary objective of this scoping review is to identify prehospital-specific pediatric BHE research and publicly available emergency medical services (EMS) protocols for pediatric BHE. Secondary objectives include identifying the next priorities for research and EMS protocol considerations for children with neurodevelopmental conditions. This is a scoping review comprised of a research literature search for publications from 2012-2022 and an internet search for publicly available EMS protocols from the United States. Included publications contain data on the epidemiology of pediatric BHE or describe prehospital management of pediatric BHE. EMS protocols were included if they had advisements specific to pediatric BHE. A total of 50 research publications and EMS protocols from 43 states were screened. Seven publications and four protocols were included in this study. Research studies indicated an increase in pediatric BHE over the last decade, but few papers discuss current prehospital management (n=4). Two EMS protocols were specific to pediatric BHE or pediatric agitation, and the other two EMS protocols focused on adult populations with integrated pediatric recommendations. All four EMS protocols encouraged nonpharmaceutical interventions prior to the use of pharmacologic restraints. Although there is a substantial rise in pediatric BHE, there is sparse research data and clinical EMS protocols to support best practices for prehospital pediatric BHE management. This scoping review identifies important future research aims to inform best practices for the prehospital management of pediatric BHE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth V Zorovich
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine - Jacksonville, Jacksonville, USA
| | - Kathryn Kothari
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA
| | - Kathleen Adelgais
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, USA
| | - Rachael Alter
- Emergency Medicine Services, Emergency Medicine Services for Children Innovation and Improvement Center, Austin, USA
| | - Lia Mojica
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA
| | - Aaron Salinas
- Emergency Medicine Services, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, USA
| | - Marc Auerbach
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, USA
| | - Carrie Adams
- Borland Library, University of Florida College of Medicine - Jacksonville, Jacksonville, USA
| | - Jennifer Fishe
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine - Jacksonville, Jacksonville, USA
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Marquis S, Lunsky Y, McGrail KM, Baumbusch J. Population level administrative data evidence of visits to the emergency department by youth with intellectual/developmental disabilities in BC, Canada. Am J Emerg Med 2023; 69:52-57. [PMID: 37058981 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2023.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The literature indicates that youth with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) have poor health and that access to health services decreases as they transition from pediatric to adult services. At the same time their use of emergency department services increases. The objective of this study was to compare use of emergency department services by youth with IDD to youth without IDD, with particular emphasis on the transition period from pediatric to adult health care services. METHODS This research used a population level administrative health data base for the province of British Columbia Canada for 2010-2019 to examine the use of emergency departments by youth with IDD (N = 20,591) compared to a population group of youth without IDD (N = 1,293,791). Using the ten years of data, odds ratios for visits to the emergency department were calculated adjusting for sex, income and geographical area within the Province. In addition, difference-in-differences analyses were calculated for age matched subsets of the two cohorts. RESULTS Over the ten year period, 40.60% of youth with IDD visited an emergency department at least once, compared to 29.10% of youth without IDD. Youth with IDD had an odds ratio of visiting an emergency department 1.697 (1.649, 1.747) times that of youth without IDD. However, when odds were adjusted for a diagnosis of either psychotic illness or anxiety/depression, the odds for youth with IDD visiting emergency compared to youth without IDD were reduced to 1.063 (1.031, 1.096). Use of emergency services increased as youth aged. Type of IDD also affected use of emergency services. Youth with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome had the greatest odds of using emergency services compared to youth with other types of IDD. DISCUSSION The findings from this study indicate that youth with IDD have higher odds of using emergency services than youth without IDD although these increased odds appear to be largely driven by mental illness. In addition, use of emergency services increases as the youth age and transition from pediatric to adult health services. Better treatment of mental health issues within this population may reduce their use of emergency services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Marquis
- School of Nursing University of British Columbia, T201-2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada.
| | - Yona Lunsky
- Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, CAMH, 1025 Queen St West, Toronto, ONT M6J 1H4, Canada.
| | - Kimberlyn M McGrail
- Centre for Health Services and Policy Research, The University of British Columbia, 201-2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada.
| | - Jennifer Baumbusch
- School of Nursing University of British Columbia, T201-2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada.
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10
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So P, Wierdsma AI, Mulder CL, Vermeiren RRJM. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychiatric emergency consultations in adolescents. BMC Psychol 2023; 11:101. [PMID: 37024890 PMCID: PMC10078013 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01085-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is growing evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic, and its associated social distancing measures, affect adolescents' mental health. We wanted to examine whether and how the number and characteristics of adolescents' psychiatric emergency presentations have changed throughout the pandemic. METHODS We extracted data from the records of 977 psychiatric emergency consultations of adolescents aged 12- 19 who had been referred to the mobile psychiatric emergency services in Rotterdam, the Netherlands between January 1st 2018 and January1st 2022. Demographic, contextual, and clinical characteristics were recorded. Time-series-analyses were performed using quasi-Poisson Generalized Linear Model to examine the effect of the first and second COVID-19 lockdown on the number of psychiatric emergency consultations, and to explore differences between boys and girls and internalizing versus externalizing problems. RESULTS The number of psychiatric emergency consultations regarding adolescents increased over time: from about 13 per month in 2018 to about 29 per month in 2021. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the increase was tempered. In the second wave a pronounced increase of psychiatric emergencies among adolescents with internalizing problems but not with externalizing problems was found. CONCLUSION Despite the reported increase of mental health problems in adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, we did find a smaller increase in psychiatric emergency consultations in this group then would be expected considering the overall trend. Besides changes in help-seeking and access to care, a possible explanation may be that a calmer, more orderly existence, or more parental supervision led to less psychiatric emergency situations in this age group. In the second wave the number of emergency consultations increased especially among girls with internalizing problems. While there has been a particular fall in emergency referrals of adolescents with externalizing problems since the start of the pandemic it is still too early to know whether this is a structural phenomenon. It would be important to elucidate whether the changes in emergency referrals reflect a true change in prevalence of urgent internalizing and externalizing problems in adolescents during the pandemic or a problem related to access to care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pety So
- Youz, Center for Youth Mental Healthcare, Lupinestraat 1 2906 CV Capelle a/d Ijssel, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
- Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
- Epidemiological and Social Psychiatric Research Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - André I Wierdsma
- Epidemiological and Social Psychiatric Research Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis L Mulder
- Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Epidemiological and Social Psychiatric Research Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert R J M Vermeiren
- Youz, Center for Youth Mental Healthcare, Lupinestraat 1 2906 CV Capelle a/d Ijssel, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Curium-LUMC, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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11
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Has Anything Changed in the Frequency of Emergency Department Visits and the Profile of the Adolescent Seeking Emergency Mental Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic? CHILDREN 2023; 10:children10030578. [PMID: 36980136 PMCID: PMC10047842 DOI: 10.3390/children10030578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023]
Abstract
We described changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the frequency of Emergency Department (ED) visits for mental health disorders (MHDs) in adolescents on a wider temporal range—that is, not just “the waves” of the pandemic—and characterized the profile of the adolescent seeking emergency psychiatric care. We conducted a retrospective longitudinal study by analyzing ED visits for MHDs from 10 March 2019 to 10 March 2021. A total of 1407 ED visits for MHDs were registered: 702 in the pre-COVID-19 and 707 in the COVID-19 period. The cumulative incidence of ED visits for MHDs was 1.22% in the pre-COVID-19 period and 1.77% in the COVID-19 period, with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). The principal characteristics of the adolescent with MHDs during the pandemic period: the odds of comorbidities decreased by 26% (p = 0.02), and the odds of transfer from other hospitals decreased by 71% (p < 0.001), while the odds of the ED presentation as first psychiatric episode were twice greater (p < 0.001). The risk of hospitalization increased by 54% (p = 0.001). Regarding psychopathology, the likelihood of attempted suicide increased by 74% during the pandemic (p = 0.02). The rate of mood and eating disorders grew significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic period (p = 0.005 and p = 0.031, respectively). Monitoring ED visits for MHDs and understanding changes in the profile of adolescents presenting to ED helps to reinforce the role of ED in identifying special clinical needs for these vulnerable patients in case of a future public health crisis.
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Brathwaite D, Strain A, Waller AE, Weinberger M, Stearns SC. The effect of increased emergency department demand on throughput times and disposition status for pediatric psychiatric patients. Am J Emerg Med 2023; 64:174-183. [PMID: 36565662 PMCID: PMC9869182 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2022.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Emergency department (ED) crowding has been shown to increase throughput measures of length of stay (LOS), wait time, and boarding time. Psychiatric utilization of the ED has increased, particularly among younger patients. This investigation quantifies the effect of ED demand on throughput times and discharge disposition for pediatric psychiatric patients in the ED. METHODS Using electronic medical record data from 1,151,396 ED visits in eight North Carolina EDs from January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2020, we identified 14,092 pediatric psychiatric visits. Measures of ED daily demand rates included overall occupancy as well as daily proportion of non-psychiatric pediatric patients, adult psychiatric patients, and pediatric psychiatric patients. Controlling for patient-level factors such as age, sex, race, insurance, and triage acuity, we used linear regression to predict throughput times and logistic regression to predict disposition status. We estimated effects of ED demand by academic versus community hospital status due to ED and inpatient resource differences. RESULTS Most ED demand measures had insignificant or only very small associations with throughput measures for pediatric psychiatric patients. Notable exceptions were that a one percentage point increase in the proportion of non-psychiatric pediatric ED visits increased boarding times at community sites by 1.06 hours (95% CI: 0.20-1.92), while a one percentage point increase in the proportion of pediatric psychiatric ED visits increased LOS by 3.64 hours (95% CI: 2.04-5.23) at the academic site. We found that ED demand had a minimal effect on disposition status, with small increases in demand rates favoring <1 percentage point increases in the likelihood of discharge. Instead, patient-level factors played a much stronger role in predicting discharge disposition. CONCLUSIONS ED demand has a meaningful effect on throughput times, but a minimal effect on disposition status. Further research is needed to validate these findings across other state and healthcare systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Brathwaite
- University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America.
| | - Angela Strain
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America.
| | - Anna E Waller
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine & Carolina Center for Health Informatics, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America.
| | - Morris Weinberger
- University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America.
| | - Sally C Stearns
- University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America.
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Oblath R, Herrera CN, Were LPO, Syeda HS, Duncan A, Ferguson T, Kalesan B, Perez DC, Taglieri J, Borba CPC, Henderson DC. Long-Term Trends in Psychiatric Emergency Services Delivered by the Boston Emergency Services Team. Community Ment Health J 2023; 59:370-380. [PMID: 36001197 PMCID: PMC9399566 DOI: 10.1007/s10597-022-01015-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Rising psychiatric emergency department (ED) presentations pose significant financial and administrative burdens to hospitals. Alternative psychiatric emergency services programs have the potential to alleviate this strain by diverting non-emergent mental health issues from EDs. This study explores one such program, the Boston Emergency Services Team (BEST), a multi-channel psychiatric emergency services provider intended for the publicly insured and uninsured population. BEST provides evaluation and treatment for psychiatric crises through specialized psychiatric EDs, a 24/7 hotline, psychiatric urgent care centers, and mobile crisis units. This retrospective review examines the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of 225,198 BEST encounters (2005-2016). Of note, the proportion of encounters taking place in ED settings decreased significantly from 70 to 58% across the study period. Findings suggest that multi-focal, psychiatric emergency programs like BEST have the potential to reduce the burden of emergency mental health presentations and improve patient diversion to appropriate psychiatric care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Oblath
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center, Boston, USA. .,BEST Partnership for Behavioral Health, Racial, and Social Justice, Boston Medical Center, Boston, USA.
| | - Carolina N Herrera
- Department of Health Law, Policy, and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| | - Lawrence P O Were
- Department of Health Sciences, Boston University's College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College, Boston, USA.,Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| | - Haniya Saleem Syeda
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center, Boston, USA.,BEST Partnership for Behavioral Health, Racial, and Social Justice, Boston Medical Center, Boston, USA
| | - Alison Duncan
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center, Boston, USA.,BEST Partnership for Behavioral Health, Racial, and Social Justice, Boston Medical Center, Boston, USA.,Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, USA
| | - Tasha Ferguson
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center, Boston, USA.,BEST Partnership for Behavioral Health, Racial, and Social Justice, Boston Medical Center, Boston, USA.,Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, USA
| | - Bindu Kalesan
- Department of Medicine, Center for Clinical Translational Epidemiology and Comparative Effectiveness Research, Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, USA
| | - Daisy C Perez
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center, Boston, USA.,BEST Partnership for Behavioral Health, Racial, and Social Justice, Boston Medical Center, Boston, USA
| | - Joan Taglieri
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center, Boston, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, USA.,Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, USA
| | - Christina P C Borba
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center, Boston, USA.,BEST Partnership for Behavioral Health, Racial, and Social Justice, Boston Medical Center, Boston, USA.,Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, USA
| | - David C Henderson
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center, Boston, USA.,BEST Partnership for Behavioral Health, Racial, and Social Justice, Boston Medical Center, Boston, USA.,Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, USA
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Cozzi G, Grillone A, Zuliani E, Giangreco M, Zanchi C, Abbracciavento G, Barbi E, Amaddeo A. Suicide attempts and eating disorders in adolescents, the mental health wave of the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic: A paediatric emergency department perspective. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1078274. [PMID: 36762280 PMCID: PMC9905671 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1078274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM We compared adolescents' visits to a tertiary-level paediatric emergency department (PED) in Italy during the pre-pandemic year and the first and second years of the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on mental health presentations. METHODS This was a retrospective study. We collected the number of visits, the demographical features, triage codes, discharge diagnoses, and outcomes of adolescents 13-17 years old who accessed the PED from 1 March 2019 to 28 February 2022. RESULTS During the study period, 13,410 adolescents accessed the PED. The number of visits related to mental health problems was 304 (6.4%) in the second year of the pandemic and 306 (5.6%) in the pre-pandemic year, p = 0.07. In the same periods, females' prevalence was higher, 220 (72.4%) vs. 197 (64.4%), p = 0.03. The absolute number of subjects needing admission increased, 44 vs. 34, p = 0.21, and more urgent psychiatric consultations were needed, 161 vs. 114, p < 0.0001. The number of suicide attempts was 23 vs. 8, +188%, p = 0.01. The number of adolescents with eating disorders was 21 vs. 5, +320%, p = 0.001. CONCLUSION PED visits for suicide attempts and eating disorders in adolescents sharply increased in the second year of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Cozzi
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | | | | | - Manuela Giangreco
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Zanchi
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Egidio Barbi
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.,University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandro Amaddeo
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
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Mitchell RJ, McMaugh A, Lystad RP, Cameron CM, Nielssen O. Health service use for young males and females with a mental disorder is higher than their peers in a population-level matched cohort. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:1359. [DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08789-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
To inform healthcare planning and resourcing, population-level information is required on the use of health services among young people with a mental disorder. This study aims to identify the health service use associated with mental disorders among young people using a population-level matched cohort.
Method
A population-based matched case-comparison retrospective cohort study of young people aged ≤ 18 years hospitalised for a mental disorder during 2005–2018 in New South Wales, Australia was conducted using linked birth, health, and mortality records. The comparison cohort was matched on age, sex and residential postcode. Adjusted rate ratios (ARR) were calculated for key demographics and mental disorder type by sex.
Results
Emergency department visits, hospital admissions and ambulatory mental health service contacts were all higher for males and females with a mental disorder than matched peers. Further hospitalisation risk was over 10-fold higher for males with psychotic (ARR 13.69; 95%CI 8.95–20.94) and anxiety (ARR 11.44; 95%CI 8.70-15.04) disorders, and for both males and females with cognitive and behavioural delays (ARR 10.79; 95%CI 9.30-12.53 and ARR 14.62; 95%CI 11.20-19.08, respectively), intellectual disability (ARR 10.47; 95%CI 8.04–13.64 and ARR 11.35; 95%CI 7.83–16.45, respectively), and mood disorders (ARR 10.23; 95%CI 8.17–12.80 and ARR 10.12; 95%CI 8.58–11.93, respectively) compared to peers.
Conclusion
The high healthcare utilisation of young people with mental disorder supports the need for the development of community and hospital-based services that both prevent unnecessary hospital admissions in childhood and adolescence that can potentially reduce the burden and loss arising from mental disorders in adult life.
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Flury RM, Brockhus L, Müller M, Henssler J, Exadaktylos AK, Klukowska-Rötzler J. Presentations to the Emergency Department for Problems Related to Mental Health: Sex Differences in Adolescents. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:13196. [PMID: 36293777 PMCID: PMC9602638 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescents aged sixteen to eighteen years are mostly treated in adult emergency departments. In a study at our tertiary adult emergency department (ED) at the University Hospital in Bern (Inselspital), Switzerland, we found that adolescents significantly more often present with psychiatric problems than adults. The study at hand aimed to characterise those adolescents presenting to the ED triaged with a chief complaint regarding mental health. Furthermore, the goal was to assess sex differences in terms of diagnosis, suicidal ideation, substance use, as well as social impact. METHODS We conducted a single-centre, retrospective review of presentations to our adult ED related to the mental health of adolescents aged 16 to 18 years, covering the period from January 2013 to July 2017. Anonymised data were extracted from medical reports referring to the ED visits that were triaged as mental-health-related, and we assessed these for diagnosis, acute and previous suicidal ideation, history of self-harm, external aggression, substance use and social problems. We focused on patient characterisation and defining sex differences. RESULTS Data were analysed for a total of 612 consultations by adolescents who presented to our ED with problems related to mental health. Women accounted for 61.1% of cases. The most frequent diagnoses were reactions to severe stress and adjustment disorders (19.1%), followed by alcohol use disorders (17.6%), intentional self-harm (17.3%), and affective disorders (13.7%). Males had lower odds for intentional self-harm (OR 0.10, 95% 0.05-0.21, p < 0.001) as well as disorders of personality and behaviour (OR 0.09, 95% 0.21-0.37, p < 0.001), whereas they had higher odds of being admitted due to use of alcohol (OR 2.51, 95% 1.65-3.83, p < 0.001). Of all cases, 31.7% reported acute suicidal ideation, with a significantly lower odds ratio in males (OR 0.58, 95% 0.41-0.84, p = 0.004). The most common source for referral to the ED was family members (25.2%). Males had twice the odds of reporting alcohol consumption as well as use of cannabis (in both cases p < 0.001). In 27.9% of all cases, familial problems were reported, with males having significantly lower odds of being exposed to these (OR 0.64, 95% 0.44-0.94, p = 0.021), whereas they had higher odds of reporting educational problems (OR 1.68, 95% 1.04-2.72, p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS Adolescents aged sixteen to eighteen years presenting to the ED with problems related to mental health are an important subgroup of ED presentations and should be thoroughly assessed for suicidal ideation, substance use, as well as familial and educational problems. Assessment and establishment of post-ED care are of particular importance in this vulnerable patient group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaela M. Flury
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lara Brockhus
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Martin Müller
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jonathan Henssler
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Cologne Medical School, DE-50937 Cologne, Germany
- Charité University Medicine, St Hedwig-Krankenhaus, Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, DE-10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Aristomenis K. Exadaktylos
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jolanta Klukowska-Rötzler
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland
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Hoge MA, Vanderploeg J, Paris M, Lang JM, Olezeski C. Emergency Department Use by Children and Youth with Mental Health Conditions: A Health Equity Agenda. Community Ment Health J 2022; 58:1225-1239. [PMID: 35038073 PMCID: PMC8762987 DOI: 10.1007/s10597-022-00937-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
There are growing concerns regarding the referral of children and youth with mental health conditions to emergency departments (EDs). These focus on upward trends in utilization, uncertainty about benefits and negative effects of ED visits, and inequities surrounding this form of care. A review was conducted to identify and describe available types of data on ED use. The authors' interpretation of the literature is that it offers compelling evidence that children and youth in the U.S. are being sent to EDs for mental health conditions at increasing rates for reasons frequently judged as clinically inappropriate. As a major health inequity, it is infrequent that such children and youth are seen in EDs by a behavioral health professional or receive evidence-based assessment or treatment, even though they are kept in EDs far longer than those seen for reasons unrelated to mental health. The rate of increase in these referrals to EDs appears much greater for African American and Latinx children and youth than White children and is increasing for the publicly insured and uninsured while decreasing for the privately insured. A comprehensive set of strategies are recommended for improving healthcare quality and health equity. A fact sheet is provided for use by advocates in pressing this agenda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A. Hoge
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
| | - Jeffrey Vanderploeg
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
- grid.475976.eChild Health and Development Institute, Farmington, CT USA
- grid.208078.50000000419370394Department of Psychiatry, UConn Health, Farmington, CT USA
| | - Manuel Paris
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
| | - Jason M. Lang
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
- grid.475976.eChild Health and Development Institute, Farmington, CT USA
- grid.208078.50000000419370394Department of Psychiatry, UConn Health, Farmington, CT USA
| | - Christy Olezeski
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
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Chun A, Panchmatia R, Doan Q, Meckler G, Narayan B. Twitter as a Knowledge Translation Tool to Increase Awareness of the OpenHEARTSMAP Psychosocial Assessment and Management Tool in the Field of Pediatric Emergency Mental Health. Cureus 2022; 14:e27597. [PMID: 36059355 PMCID: PMC9433791 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.27597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale The increasing prevalence of pediatric mental health presentations in pediatric emergency departments (PED) requires improved integration of evidence-based management strategies. Social media, specifically Twitter, has shown potential to aid in closing the knowledge translation (KT) gap between these evidence-based management strategies and pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) providers. Aims and objectives The primary outcome of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Twitter as a KT dissemination tool in PEM. The exploratory outcomes were to assess how to effectively implement Twitter in KT, explore ways in which Twitter can maximize the global reach of OpenHEARTSMAP and whether Twitter can lead to increased adoption of OpenHEARTSMAP. Methods A one-week prospective promotion on Twitter was conducted to disseminate the OpenHEARTSMAP tool using 15 topic-related hashtags (arm 1, 15 Tweets) versus one post wherein 15 different Twitter users were mentioned in 15 different comments (arm 2, 1 Tweet). A one-week control period immediately prior to posting was employed for comparisons. Results During the Twitter week, visits per day to OpenHEARTSMAP increased by 175%; mean time spent on the website increased by 212%; and mean page actions per visit increased by 130%. The greatest increase in visits occurred on the first day of Tweeting. Arm 2 received the greatest engagements. Within arm 1, the category of pediatrics received the most engagements (hashtag #Peds was most popular). Arm 1 received 455 impressions compared to 2071 in arm 2. No new users registered an account on the OpenHEARTSMAP website, which is required to physically use the tool. Conclusion Twitter can be an effective KT tool to increase awareness of research, the first step of KT, in the domain of PEM mental health care. Strategies for success include building a robust Twitter following; posting during peak healthcare-related Twitter traffic times; employing hashtags coinciding with current events; and targeting posts by tagging users who need not necessarily be generally well-known opinion leaders.
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St Pierre-Hetz R, Silver E, Chokroverty L, Collins K, Khine H. Referral Patterns for Emergency Psychiatric Evaluations and Effect of School Mental Health Services in New York City, 2018. THE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH 2022; 92:735-738. [PMID: 35467021 DOI: 10.1111/josh.13162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric mental health issues are increasing while access to care is decreasing. This is reflected in a growing number of patients seeking emergency psychiatric evaluations (EPEs) in the emergency department (ED). METHODS This was a retrospective review of patients seeking EPE in the ED of a children's hospital between September and December 2018, which compares patients referred from the community versus those from schools as well as patients from schools with and without school-based mental health services (SMH). RESULTS A total of 546 EPEs were analyzed, with 187 (34%) referred from schools. School referrals were younger, had a shorter length of stay and lower admission rates. When comparing those from schools with SMH, those referred from schools without SMH were younger and less acutely ill. CONCLUSIONS Higher acuity children from schools with SMH suggest that SMH staff managed less severe situations on site. The role of SMH as a triaging tool and provider of mental health services should be studied as they may reduce the burden on EDs for EPEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan St Pierre-Hetz
- Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, NY
- UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA
| | | | | | | | - Hnin Khine
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
- Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, New York
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20
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Alleyne S, Dale L, Robertson-Blackmore E, Kishore A, Cuffe S, Fallucco E. United States of America Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists' Career Satisfaction by Career Stage. ACADEMIC PSYCHIATRY : THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF DIRECTORS OF PSYCHIATRIC RESIDENCY TRAINING AND THE ASSOCIATION FOR ACADEMIC PSYCHIATRY 2022; 46:441-450. [PMID: 35034337 DOI: 10.1007/s40596-021-01577-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study sought to examine career satisfaction among United States of America child and adolescent psychiatrists (CAPs) across career stages, identifying predictive factors for their career satisfaction. METHODS A total of 526 CAPs responded to a national career satisfaction survey. Satisfaction was assessed via responses to statements about their career on a Likert scale. Career satisfaction was defined as the sum of the scores for satisfaction with their choice of career, career advancement, and career recognition. Responses were disaggregated by the number of years post child and adolescent psychiatry residency training (early career: 0-10 years; midcareer: 11-20 years; and late career: 21 + years post-training). Stepwise linear regression analyses identified predictive factors of career satisfaction. RESULTS CAPs' career satisfaction was high (3.95) and increased with career stage. It was most positively correlated with advancement opportunities, job enjoyment, and control of assigned tasks, and most negatively correlated with workload. Job enjoyment was the leading predictive factor of career satisfaction for early career and late career CAPs, with midcareer CAPs identifying task assignment control as the leading contributor to their career satisfaction (all p = .000). CONCLUSIONS Career satisfaction in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry is high, increases with career stage, and is most predicted by advancement opportunities. Further study of the predictive factors of CAPs' career satisfaction is warranted as we focus on increasing the workforce in child and adolescent psychiatry.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lourdes Dale
- University of Florida, College of Medicine-Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | | | - Steven Cuffe
- University of Florida, College of Medicine-Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Elise Fallucco
- University of Florida, College of Medicine-Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL, USA
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Walker N, Medlow S, Georges A, Steinbeck K, Ivers R, Perry L, Skinner SR, Kang M, Cullen P. Emergency Department Initiated Mental Health Interventions for Young People: A Systematic Review. Pediatr Emerg Care 2022; 38:342-350. [PMID: 34620805 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000002551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Young people (10-24 years old) with mental health concerns are increasingly presenting to hospital emergency departments (EDs). The purpose of this review was to identify the core components and outcomes of mental health interventions for young people that are initiated in the ED, such that they are delivered in the ED and/or by ED health workers. METHODS Six electronic databases were systematically searched. Primary peer-reviewed qualitative or quantitative studies describing an ED-initiated mental health intervention for young people published between 2009 and 2020 were included. RESULTS Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. The included studies demonstrated that compared with traditional ED care, ED-initiated mental health interventions lead to improved efficiency of care and decreased length of stay, and a core component of this care was its delivery by allied health practitioners with mental health expertise. The studies were limited by focusing on service efficiencies rather than patient outcomes. Further limitations were the exclusion of young people with complex mental health needs and/or comorbidities and not measuring long-term positive mental health outcomes, including representations and whether young people were connected with community health services. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review demonstrated that ED-initiated mental health interventions result in improved service outcomes, but further innovation and robust evaluation are required. Future research should determine whether these interventions lead to better clinical outcomes for young people and staff to inform the development of best practice recommendations for ED-initiated mental health care for young people presenting to the ED.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Lin Perry
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo
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22
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Beaudry G, Drouin O, Gravel J, Smyrnova A, Bender A, Orri M, Geoffroy MC, Chadi N. A comparative analysis of pediatric mental health-related emergency department utilization in Montréal, Canada, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ann Gen Psychiatry 2022; 21:17. [PMID: 35698227 PMCID: PMC9191527 DOI: 10.1186/s12991-022-00398-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reports on longitudinal trends in mental health-related (MHR) emergency department (ED) utilization spanning the pre- and post-pandemic periods are lacking, along with evidence comparing healthcare services utilization by sociodemographic subgroups. The aim of this study was to evaluate COVID-19-associated changes in MHR ED utilization among youth overall and by age, sex, and socio-economic status (SES). METHODS This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed MHR ED utilization before and during the COVID-19 pandemic at a large urban pediatric tertiary care hospital in Montréal, Canada. All ED visits for children (5-11 years) and adolescents (12-17 years) between April 1, 2016 and November 30, 2021 were included. The main outcome was the monthly count of MHR ED visits. Pre-pandemic and pandemic periods were compared using an interrupted time series design. The effect of seasonality (in months), age (in years), sex (male or female), and SES (low, average, high) were compared using a generalized additive model. RESULTS There were a total of 437,147 ED visits (204,215 unique patients) during the 5-year study period of which 9748 (5.8%) were MHR visits (7,686 unique patients). We observed an increase of 69% (95% CI, + 53% to + 85%; p = 0.001) in the mean monthly count of MHR ED visits during the pandemic period, which remained significant after adjusting for seasonality (44% increase, 95% CI, + 38% to + 51%; p = 0.001). The chance of presenting for a MHR ED visit increased non-linearly with age. There were increased odds of presenting for a MHR ED visit among girls between the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.29-1.56). No difference by SES group during and before the COVID-19 pandemic was found [OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.89-1.15 (low); OR 1.09, 95% CI 0.96-1.25 (high)]. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows important increases in MHR ED utilization among youth, and especially among girls, during the first 20 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for sustained, targeted and scalable mental health resources to support youth mental health during the current and future crises.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Olivier Drouin
- Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Division of General Pediatrics, Sainte-Justine University Hospital Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Jocelyn Gravel
- Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Sainte-Justine University Hospital Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Anna Smyrnova
- Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Massimiliano Orri
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Claude Geoffroy
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Nicholas Chadi
- Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada. .,Department of Pediatrics, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada. .,Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Sainte-Justine University Hospital Centre, 3175 Ch de la Cote Ste-Catherine, Montréal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada.
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So P, Wierdsma AI, Vermeiren RR, Mulder CL. Psychiatric Emergencies in Minors: The Impact of Sex and Age. Pediatr Emerg Care 2022; 38:258-263. [PMID: 35639431 PMCID: PMC9162064 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000002674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Little information is available on young children (age 4-12 years) with mental health problems who are seen by the psychiatric emergency services. We therefore described this population to identify (1) variables that differentiated children from those aged 13 to 18 years who had been referred for psychiatric emergency consultation; and (2) to describe sex differences. METHOD We extracted data for a 9-year period from the records of the mobile psychiatric emergency services in 2 urban areas in the Netherlands. In this period, 79 children aged 4 to 12 years (37.2% girls) and 1695 children aged 12 to 18 years (62.2% girls) had been referred for psychiatric emergency consultation. Demographic and process factors were recorded. Clinical characteristics included diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 4th edition classifications and the Severity of Psychiatric Illness scale. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine differences between the girls and boys in the 2 age groups. RESULTS Young children aged 4 to 12 years had been involved in 4.5% of all consultations of minors. In contrast with adolescents, a higher percentage of young children seen for emergency consultation were boys, and a lower percentage was admitted to a psychiatric hospital (7.7%). In boys and girls alike, a DSM classification of behavioral disorder was associated with younger age. CONCLUSIONS The young group of children referred for psychiatric emergency consultation comprised relatively more children with behavioral disorders. Decisions to refer them for urgent psychiatric consultation seemed to be influenced by the suspicion of psychotic symptoms or of danger to themselves or others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pety So
- From the Youz, Center for Youth Mental Healthcare
- Parnassia Psychiatric Institute
| | - André I. Wierdsma
- Department of Psychiatry, Epidemiological and Social Psychiatric Research Institute, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam
| | - Robert R.J.M. Vermeiren
- Youz, Center for Youth Mental Healthcare, The Hague
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Curium-LUMC, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis L. Mulder
- Parnassia Psychiatric Institute
- Department of Psychiatry, Epidemiological and Social Psychiatric Research Institute, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam
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Poyraz Fındık OT, Fadıloğlu E, Ay P, Fiş NP. Emergency mental health care for chi̇ldren and adolescents outside of regular working hours: 7 years outcomes from a tertiary hospital. Asian J Psychiatr 2022; 72:103103. [PMID: 35429785 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2022.103103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to define the clinical characteristics and management strategies of children and adolescents presenting with psychiatric crises to the emergency department (ED) of a tertiary health care facility outside of working hours, and to identify predictors of multiple ED visits among them. METHODS From January 2012 to December 2018, retrospective records of patients presenting with psychiatric symptoms to the ED and examined by a child psychiatrist after 5 p.m. on weekdays and for 24 h on weekends and public holidays were analyzed. RESULTS Our sample consisted of 1576 visits and 1364 patient (Female:Male=1.8:1, mean age=14.86 ± 2.72). The most common reason for visits was self-injurious thought or behaviors (SITB), and the most common diagnosis was depression. While depression was statistically more common in girls, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism and/or intellectual disability (ASD/ID), psychotic disorders, and bipolar disorder were more common in boys. The forensic evaluation was the most common reason for visits among children younger than 6 years old. Of visits, 23% transferred to hospitalization. A history of mental health contact was the lowest in depression (37.5%), psychosis (34.1%), and substance use disorders (33%). Of patients, 10.8% had multiple visits. A history of mental health contacts, conduct disorder, ASD/ID, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder, and dissociative disorder were predictors of multiple visits to ED with psychiatric reasons. CONCLUSION Emergency mental health care outside of regular working hours can be a critical step in the diagnosis and treatment of serious psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onur Tuğçe Poyraz Fındık
- Istanbul Health and Technology University, Department of Psychology, Guest Lecturer, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Eray Fadıloğlu
- Van Training and Research Hospital, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic, Van, Turkey
| | - Pınar Ay
- Marmara University, Medical Faculty, Department of Public Health, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Neşe Perdahlı Fiş
- Marmara University, Medical Faculty, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Istanbul, Turkey
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25
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Goldfinch C, Kochar A. Trends in mental health presentations in a south Australian tertiary emergency department. J Paediatr Child Health 2022; 58:836-841. [PMID: 34904302 DOI: 10.1111/jpc.15852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
AIM Limited recent interstate evidence suggests an increase in paediatric mental health presentations to emergency departments in Australia. We set out to confirm this and whether any specific diagnosis was responsible for this increase. METHODS We identified all patients with mental health presentations aged 6-18 years who attended our tertiary emergency department from January 2006 to June 2019 using our emergency department patient record system. Patients were determined to have a mental health presentation if they had a discharge diagnosis or presenting complaint code that corresponded to a mental health disorder or were referred to the mental health team. For analysis, we divided the 13.5-year duration of our study into three periods of 4.5 years. RESULTS Comparing the first and last time periods, there was a 156% increase in mental health presentations over 9 years. This was out of proportion to the increase in combined general and mental health presentations of 11.9%. There was an increase in the proportion of patients who were diagnosed with an adjustment disorder (14-26.6%) or a childhood emotional disorder (8.5-20.8%). Additionally, there was an increase in median wait time and a reduction in the proportion of patients seen within their recommended triage time. CONCLUSION There is a large increase in the number of paediatric mental health presentations to our emergency department. Further resources may need to be allocated to mental health services in the community and in the emergency department.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Goldfinch
- Paediatric Emergency, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Amit Kochar
- Paediatric Emergency, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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26
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Poyraz Fındık OT, Erdoğdu AB, Fadıloğlu E, Rodopman Arman A. Emergency Department Visits for Non-suicidal Self-harm, Suicidal Ideation, and Suicide Attempts in Children and Adolescents. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2022; 53:289-299. [PMID: 33523341 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-021-01125-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Self-harm presentations to emergency departments (ED) have become a growing concern, yet little is known about self-harm visits in pediatric EDs. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and demographic characteristics of patients who presented to the pediatric ED between 2012 and 2017 with non-suicidal self-harm (NSSH, n = 63, 60.3% female, M = 14.25 years), suicidal ideation (SI, n = 75, 57.3% female, M = 14.83 years), and suicide attempts (SA, n = 461, 82.9% female, M = 15.41 years). Also, predictors of SA were investigated. Of the patients, 79.4% had at least a psychiatric disorder. Depression was the most common diagnosis in the SI and SA groups, and autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability were the leading diagnoses in the NSSH group. Self-poisoning was the most common method, and older age, female sex, having relational problems, and prior or current psychiatric admissions were the most important predictive factors of SA. NSSH, SI, and SA exhibit different features in early life. EDs provide an important opportunity for initiating developmentally appropriate interventions to reduce future risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onur Tuğçe Poyraz Fındık
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Marmara University, School of Medicine, Pendik Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Ayşe Burcu Erdoğdu
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Marmara University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Eray Fadıloğlu
- Child and Psychiatry Clinic, University of Health Sciences, Van Research and Training Hospital, Van, Turkey
| | - Ayşe Rodopman Arman
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Marmara University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
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27
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Burt H, Doan Q, Landry T, Wright B, McKinley KW. The Impact of Universal Mental Health Screening on Pediatric Emergency Department Flow. Acad Pediatr 2022; 22:210-216. [PMID: 34757025 DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2021.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE AND HYPOTHESIS Assess the impact of universal mental health screening with MyHEARTSMAP on emergency department (ED) flow, an important aspect of feasibility. We hypothesized that the difference in departmental level ED length of stay (LOS) for screening and matched nonscreening days is less than 30 minutes. METHODS We conducted a 2-center, retrospective cohort study between December 2017 and June 2019. At each center, random mental health screening days were assigned over the course of 15 consecutive months. We matched each 24-hour screening day to a unique nonscreening day based on: location (Center 1 or Center 2); day type (weekday: Monday-Thursday or weekend: Friday-Sunday); date (±28 days); and 24-hour volume (±15 patients). We collected retrospective patient flow data, including LOS, across all ED visits to determine the difference in departmental level median LOS between matched screening and nonscreening days. RESULTS There was not a statistically significant difference in departmental LOS between screening and nonscreening days. Overall, the difference in departmental LOS was -4.0 minutes (95% confidence interval, -9.8, 1.8) for screening days compared to nonscreening days, with a difference of -2.0 minutes (-9.0, 4.9) at Center 1 and -6.0 minutes (-15.4, 3.4) at Center 2. CONCLUSIONS Our findings show that universal mental health screening with MyHEARTSMAP can be implemented without a significant impact of ED LOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Burt
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia (H Burt and Q Doan), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Quynh Doan
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia (H Burt and Q Doan), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia (Q Doan), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Taryne Landry
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia (T Landry), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta (T Landry), Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Bruce Wright
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta (B Wright), Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kenneth W McKinley
- Emergency Medicine Section of Data Analytics, Children's National (KW McKinley), Washington, DC.
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Lee A, Davidson J, Black T, Kim GG, Doan Q. Youth mental health-related presentations at a quaternary centre: Who comes, What are their needs, and Can we meet their needs. Paediatr Child Health 2022; 27:147-153. [PMID: 35712040 PMCID: PMC9191912 DOI: 10.1093/pch/pxab091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Mental health issues are increasingly prevalent across Canada, reflected in rising presentations to emergency departments. To effectively address the needs of children and youth seeking mental health-related care in the emergency department and to judiciously use scarce mental health-related resources, we need to better identify the specific areas of psychosocial needs and accessibility of associated services. Objective To describe the types and severity of paediatric mental health-related presentations evaluated at a quaternary paediatric emergency department, and to explore the accessibility of community mental health-related resources. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children and youth presenting to a quaternary paediatric emergency department who were assessed using HEARTSMAP, a validated mental health assessment and management tool. We reported the proportion who sought care for a psychiatric, social, or youth health-related mental health complaint. We contacted community mental health-related resources for their estimated wait times to determine accessibility. Results Of 1,530 paediatric emergency presentations, 98.8% of patients had psychiatric issues (40.1% were severe), 78.0% of patients had social issues (17.1% were severe), and 71.5% had youth health issues (18.1% were severe). We contacted 123 community mental health-related resources. Community youth health and social services were somewhat accessible, with 50.0% and 38.7%, respectively, able to intake youth within a week of referral. Community psychiatric programs were least accessible, with 59.3% having wait times greater than 1 month. Conclusions Many psychiatric concerns presenting in paediatric emergency departments have complex psychosocial challenges requiring non-psychiatric support. A need exists for improved accessibility to community psychiatric programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jana Davidson
- Department of Psychiatry., BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Tyler Black
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Grace G Kim
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Quynh Doan
- Correspondence: Quynh Doan, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, UBC, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute., Emergency Department, 4480 Oak Street office B429, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3N1, Canada. Telephone (778)-984-9914, fax (604)-875-2366, e-mail
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29
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Rudloff J, Wurster Ovalle V, Barzman D, Gonzalez-Del-Rey J. Psychiatric Education for Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellows: Should We be Doing More? Pediatr Emerg Care 2022; 38:e734-e738. [PMID: 34009898 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000002450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The number of psychiatric encounters is steadily increasing across all pediatric emergency departments. Based on this growing national crisis, we hypothesized there is a lack of robust education in behavioral/mental health emergencies during pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) fellowship. METHODS This was a cross-sectional survey of PEM fellowship directors. The survey was submitted to the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Program Director Survey Committee via REDCap to all 83 fellowship directors. RESULTS Fifty-five (66%) PEM fellowship directors completed the survey from September 2019 to December 2019. Forty-three (78%) programs provide some type of didactic teaching, although only 7 (13%) programs offer more than 5 hours of didactics over 3 years of fellowship. Six (11%) programs offer electronic resources, 13 (24%) offer simulations in psychiatry, and only 4 (7%) programs require any type of psychiatry rotation. Forty-six (84%) programs do not currently use psychiatric emergencies as a competency for evaluating PEM fellows. Program directors felt significantly more confident in faculty than graduating fellows in the management of numerous diagnoses including agitation (P < 0.001), homicidal ideation (P = 0.044), neuroleptic malignant syndrome (P = 0.006), acute dystonia (P < 0.001), and heroin overdose (P = 0.022). Ninety-six percent felt online curricula would be helpful to address this knowledge gap. CONCLUSIONS Despite growing behavioral/mental health needs in the pediatric emergency department, there continues to be opportunity to improve psychiatric education during PEM fellowship. Program directors felt more confident in faculty than graduating fellows with several psychiatric diagnoses. Pediatric emergency medicine fellowship directors expressed a strong interest in online tools to assist in the education of PEM fellows.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Rudloff
- From the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
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30
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Dubuque-Gallo C, Kurz B, Becker J, Fendrich M, Vanderploeg J. Providers’ Perspectives on Implementing Mobile Crisis Services for Children and Youth in Connecticut. CHILD & YOUTH CARE FORUM 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10566-021-09670-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Abrams AH, Badolato GM, Boyle MD, McCarter R, Goyal MK. Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Pediatric Mental Health-Related Emergency Department Visits. Pediatr Emerg Care 2022; 38:e214-e218. [PMID: 32898125 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000002221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To test the hypotheses that (1) rates of mental health-related concerns presenting to pediatric emergency departments (ED) have increased (2) rates are increasing more in minority than nonminority youth. METHODS We performed a 5-year retrospective cohort study of youth with mental health-related ED visits using the Pediatric Health Information System. We calculated rates of mental health-related visits, in aggregate and by race/ethnicity. The Poisson model was used to generate incidence rate ratios of unique mental health-related visits each year using census data as the population denominator. RESULTS There were 242,036 mental health-related visits that met the inclusion criteria, representing 160,656 unique patients. Approximately 7% of unique patients had 3 or more mental health-related visits, differing by race/ethnicity (8.75% non-Hispanic [NH]-Black vs 7.01% NH-White; adjusted odds ratio 1.14 [1.03, 1.26]). Overall, there were 42.8 mental health-related ED visits per 100,000 US children. The NH-Black children had higher rates of visits per 100,000 children compared with NH-Whites (66.1 vs 41.5; adjusted relative risk, 1.54 [1.50-1.59]). Mental health-related visits increased from 2012 to 2016 (33.31 [32.92-33.70] to 49.94 [49.46-50.41]). Every racial/ethnic group experienced an increase in rate of presentation over the study period; Hispanics experienced a significantly larger increase compared with NH-White children (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Mental health-related ED visits among children are increasing overall, disproportionally affecting minority children. The NH-Black children have the highest visit rates, and rates among Hispanics are increasing at a significantly higher rate when compared with NH-Whites. These results indicate need for increased capacity of EDs to manage mental health-related complaints, especially among minority populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna H Abrams
- From the Department of Emergency Medicine, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO
| | - Gia M Badolato
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC
| | - Meleah D Boyle
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC
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Shah SI. Legislative remedies to mitigate the national emergency in pediatric mental health. Pediatr Res 2022; 92:1207-1209. [PMID: 36284140 PMCID: PMC9595584 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-022-02326-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shetal I. Shah
- grid.260917.b0000 0001 0728 151XDivision of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, New York Medical College, New York, NY USA
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Kissee JL, Huang Y, Dayal P, Yellowlees P, Sigal I, Marcin JP. Association Between Insurance and the Transfer of Children With Mental Health Emergencies. Pediatr Emerg Care 2021; 37:e1026-e1032. [PMID: 31274825 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000001881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study sought to investigate the association between a patient's insurance coverage and a hospital's decision to admit or transfer pediatric patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with a mental health disorder. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study of pediatric mental health ED admission and transfer events using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project 2014 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample. Children presenting to an ED with a primary mental health disorder who were either admitted locally or transferred to another hospital were included. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to adjust for confounders. RESULTS Nineteem thousand eighty-one acute mental health ED events among children were included in the analyses. The odds of transfer relative to admission were higher for children without insurance (odds ratio, 3.30; 95% confidence interval, 1.73-6.31) compared with patients with private insurance. The odds of transfer were similar for children with Medicaid compared with children with private insurance (odds ratio, 1.23; 95% confidence interval, 0.80-1.88). Transfer rates also varied across mental health diagnostic categories. Patients without insurance had higher odds of transfer compared with those with private insurance when they presented with depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, attention-deficit/conduct disorders, and schizophrenia. CONCLUSIONS Children presenting to an ED with a mental health emergency who do not have insurance are more likely to be transferred to another hospital than to be admitted and treated locally compared with those with private insurance. Future studies are needed to determine factors that may protect patients without insurance from disparities in access to care.
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Cree RA, So M, Franks J, Richards R, Leeb R, Hashikawa A, Krug S, Ludwig L, Olson LM. Characteristics Associated With Presence of Pediatric Mental Health Care Policies in Emergency Departments. Pediatr Emerg Care 2021; 37:e1116-e1121. [PMID: 31738300 PMCID: PMC7217715 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000001920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The majority of US children do not have access to an emergency department (ED) with a pediatric mental health care policy in place. Our objective was to understand factors associated with whether US EDs have a pediatric mental health care policy. METHODS We analyzed data from the National Pediatric Readiness Project, a nationally representative cross-sectional survey of US EDs. Nurse managers reported whether their hospitals had a policy to care for children with social/mental health concerns (n = 3612). We calculated prevalence estimates, prevalence ratios (PRs), and confidence intervals (CIs) for regional and ED characteristics (eg, rurality and types of personnel) by whether EDs had a pediatric mental health care policy. RESULTS Overall, 46.2% (n = 1668/3612) of EDs had a pediatric mental health care policy. Emergency departments located in remote areas were 60% less likely to have such a policy compared with EDs in urban areas (PR, 0.4; CI, 0.3-0.5). Emergency department characteristics associated with having a pediatric mental health care policy included having a policy to transfer children with social/mental health concerns (PR, 5.4; CI, 4.7-6.2), having a policy to address maltreatment (PR, 3.4; CI, 2.6-4.4), and having nurse and physician pediatric emergency care coordinators (PR, 1.6; CI, 1.5-1.8). CONCLUSIONS Lower prevalence of pediatric mental health policies in rural EDs is concerning considering EDs are often the first point of contact for pediatric patients. This work highlights the importance of pediatric emergency care coordinators in fostering ED capacity to meet children's mental health needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn A. Cree
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Human Development and Disability, Atlanta, GA
- Epidemic Intelligence Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Marvin So
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science Education, Oak Ridge, TN
| | - Jessica Franks
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science Education, Oak Ridge, TN
| | - Rachel Richards
- University of Utah, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Critical Care, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Rebecca Leeb
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Human Development and Disability, Atlanta, GA
| | - Andrew Hashikawa
- Michigan Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Steven Krug
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Emergency Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Lorah Ludwig
- Emergency Medical Services for Children, Division of Child, Adolescent, and Family Health, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration, Rockville, MD
| | - Lenora M. Olson
- University of Utah, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Critical Care, Salt Lake City, UT
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Psychiatric Emergency in Children and Adolescents: A Retrospective Study in Parma Local Health Unit. Behav Neurol 2021; 2021:8848387. [PMID: 34733375 PMCID: PMC8560292 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8848387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The mental health care system in Italy is based on Law 180/70 which leaves great regional autonomy about the management of adolescent patients suffering from psychiatric diseases. The aim of this study is the evaluation of demographic, social, and clinical features of minors admitted to psychiatric wards, as starting point to improve individualized services for them. Data about all under 18s consecutively admitted to Parma's psychiatric wards from 2013 to 2015 were retrospectively collected from medical records. Diagnoses were classified according to ICD-10 criteria, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software (IBM SPSS Statistics 22.0) for Windows. Clinical samples include 51 cases, 30 males (mean age: 15.5 years, ranging from 12 to 17 years) and 21 females (mean age: 15.9, ranging from 14 to 17 years). The most frequent diagnosis is conduct disorder (39.2%), with higher prevalence among males. Following this, 23.5% of the patients present comorbidity issues and 9.8% suffer from personality disorders, which is more frequent among females. High percentages of foreigners (31.4%), adopted minors (15.7%), and drug users (40%) are reported. Furthermore, data reveal that unprotective family environment, registered in 80.4% of cases, plays an important role as risk factor for the development of mental disease, readmissions in psychiatric wards, and discharge to residential facilities. Readmissions, as well as compulsory treatments (11 cases), are mainly required in case of conduct disorders and comorbidity diagnosis. Lastly, in contrast with the situation before hospital admission, most patients (63.3%) are discharged and sent to community residential facilities. Findings can be useful to improve the management of psychiatric emergencies in minors, focusing on their specific needs, such as conduct disorders and substance abuse, and to face emerging challenges, for example, mental health disease associated with the growing phenomenon of immigration.
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Cutler GJ, Zagel AL, Spaulding AB, Linabery AM, Kharbanda AB. Emergency Department Visits for Pediatric Firearm Injuries by Trauma Center Type. Pediatr Emerg Care 2021; 37:e686-e691. [PMID: 31135685 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000001846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to characterize pediatric visits to emergency departments (EDs) for firearm injuries and examine differences by trauma center type. METHODS Analyses included all patients younger than 19 years from the National Trauma Data Bank, years 2009 to 2014. Trauma centers were categorized as adult, mixed adult and pediatric, or pediatric based on certification level. Baseline characteristics were compared between subgroups using χ2 tests. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine risk of death. RESULTS Of 466,403 pediatric ED visits, 21,416 (4.6%) resulted from a firearm injury. Most firearm injuries were treated at an adult (64.9%) or mixed trauma center (29.1%) and involved patients that were male (87.1%), in the 15- to 18-year age group (83.2%), and black or African American (61.3%). Most visits were for injuries resulting from assault (78.1%), followed by unintentional (12.6%) and self-inflicted (4.7%) injuries, undetermined intent (3.7%), and legal intervention (0.8%). Patients visiting EDs for firearm injuries had more than 7 times the odds of dying compared with patients with other injuries (odds ratio, 7.30; 95% confidence interval, 6.82-7.72), and firearm injuries were responsible for more than a quarter (26.1%) of the total pediatric deaths in the National Trauma Data Bank (n = 2866). Assault-related injuries resulted in the most deaths (n = 2010; 70.1%), but the case fatality rate was highest for self-inflicted (n = 453; 44.6%). CONCLUSION We identified more than 20,000 firearm-related ED visits by pediatric patients from 2009 to 2014, averaging nearly 10 visits per day. Findings from this study can inform strategic planning in hospitals focused on preventing firearm injuries in children and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Anupam B Kharbanda
- Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Children's Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
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37
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Bridging the gap between the emergency department and outpatient care: feasibility of a short-term psychiatric crisis intervention for children and adolescents. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2021; 32:631-637. [PMID: 34704142 PMCID: PMC8547560 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-021-01896-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Child and adolescent mental health systems are facing limited resources of available psychosocial interventions, often leading to long waiting lists for acceptance to treatment. We describe the feasibility of a short-term (8-10 sessions) psychological crisis intervention (CI) protocol for children and adolescents aged 8-17 years (n = 30, mean ± standard deviation 12.9 ± 2.4 years) who were referred to an outpatient mental health clinic due to suicidal ideation, aggression, severe anxiety, or extreme family conflict. The participants were assessed before and after the CI, and at a 3-6-months follow-up visit. The psychiatric assessments included clinical evaluation by a senior psychiatrist, and the completion of self-report questionnaires by both the participants and their parents. Following the establishment of the CI unit, the waiting lists for urgent cases were reduced from a median of 84 days in the two preceding years to 23 days in the following 3 years (H[2] = 18.5, p < 0.0001) for patients of the CI unit. A 1-year psychiatric follow-up after the end of the CI revealed that 72% did not require additional psychotherapy. The overall clinical evaluation measures (clinical evaluation, parents-report and child report) improved and had been preserved at the 3-6-months follow-up. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of a short-term CI protocol for expediting admission to treatment for urgent psychiatric cases.
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38
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Sheridan DC, Baker S, Dehart R, Lin A, Hansen M, Tereshchenko LG, Le N, Newgard CD, Nagel B. Heart Rate Variability and Its Ability to Detect Worsening Suicidality in Adolescents: A Pilot Trial of Wearable Technology. Psychiatry Investig 2021; 18:928-935. [PMID: 34555890 PMCID: PMC8542751 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2021.0057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in adolescence, and acute pediatric mental health emergency department (ED) visits have doubled in the past decade. The objective of this study was to evaluate physiologic parameters relationship to suicide severity. METHODS This was a prospective, observational study from April 2018 thru November 2019 in a tertiary care pediatric emergency department (ED) and inpatient pediatric psychiatric unit enrolling acutely suicidal adolescent patients. Patients wore a wrist device that used photoplethysmography for 7 days during their acute hospitalization to measure heart rate variability (HRV). During that time, Columbia Suicide Severity Scores (CSSRS) were assessed at 3 time points. RESULTS There was complete device data and follow-up for 51 patients. There was an increase in the high frequency (HF) component of HRV in patients that had a 25% or greater decrease in their CSSRS (mean difference 11.89 ms/ Hz ; p-value 0.005). Patients with a CSSRS≥15 on day of enrollment had a lower, although not statistically significant, HF component (mean difference -8.34 ms/ Hz; p-value 0.071). CONCLUSION We found an inverse correlation between parasympathetic activity measured through the HF component and suicidality in an acutely suicidal population of adolescents. Wearable technology may have the ability to improve outpatient monitoring for earlier detection and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Sheridan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon, USA.,Center of Policy and Research in Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon, USA
| | - Steven Baker
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon, USA.,Alpha Bravo Connectivity, LLC, Oregon, USA
| | - Ryan Dehart
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon, USA
| | - Amber Lin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon, USA.,Center of Policy and Research in Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon, USA
| | - Matthew Hansen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon, USA.,Center of Policy and Research in Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon, USA
| | - Larisa G Tereshchenko
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon, USA
| | - Nancy Le
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon, USA.,Center of Policy and Research in Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon, USA
| | - Craig D Newgard
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon, USA.,Center of Policy and Research in Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon, USA
| | - Bonnie Nagel
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon, USA.,Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon, USA
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Li BCM, Wright B, Black T, Newton AS, Doan Q. Utility of MyHEARTSMAP in Youth Presenting to the Emergency Department with Mental Health Concerns. J Pediatr 2021; 235:124-129. [PMID: 33819465 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2021.03.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the utility of a digital psychological self-assessment tool, MyHEARTSMAP (scores on 10 sections: home, education and activities, alcohol and drugs, relationships and bullying, thoughts and anxiety, safety, sexual health, mood, abuse, and professional resources), in youth presenting to the pediatric emergency department (ED) with a mental health concern. STUDY DESIGN We conducted a prospective cohort study in 2 tertiary care pediatric EDs from December 2017 to October 2019. Youth 10-17 years old triaged for a mental health concern were screened and enrolled to complete MyHEARTSMAP on a mobile device. A clinician blinded to the MyHEARTSMAP assessment conducted their own assessment which was used as the reference standard. Utility was quantified as the sensitivity and specificity of MyHEARTSMAP in detecting psychiatric, social, youth health, and functional concerns. RESULTS Among 379 eligible youth, 351 were approached and 233 (66.4%) families were enrolled. Sensitivity for youth MyHEARTSMAP self-assessments ranged from 87.4% in the youth health domain to 99.5% in the psychiatric domain for identifying any concern, and 33.3% in the social domain to 74.6% in the psychiatric domain for severe concerns. Specificity ranged from 66.7% in the psychiatric domain to 98.2% in the youth health domain for no or only mild concerns. CONCLUSIONS Youth and guardian MyHEARTSMAP assessments are sensitive for detecting psychosocial concerns requiring follow-up beyond pediatric ED evaluation. Specificity for no or only mild concerns was high in the nonpsychiatric domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian C M Li
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Bruce Wright
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Tyler Black
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Amanda S Newton
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Quynh Doan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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Hellstrand K, Rogers SC, DiVietro S, Clough M, Sturm J. Prevalence of Cyberbullying in Patients Presenting to the Pediatric Emergency Department. Pediatr Emerg Care 2021; 37:e334-e338. [PMID: 32970026 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000002243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Mental health (MH) complaints are increasingly responsible for visits to pediatric emergency departments (PEDs). Bullying is associated with MH problems. Most adolescents use social media and many experience problems with cyberbullying (CB). This study determines prevalence of CB in MH and non-MH adolescents in a PED, describes technology use in these groups, and measures influence of CB on presentation to the PED and on thoughts/acts of self-harm. METHODS A prospective survey was administered to a convenience sample of 149 patients aged 11 to 17 years in a PED. Data were analyzed using descriptive and comparative statistical methods. RESULTS Cyberbullying was significantly more common in MH than in the non-MH patients (17% vs 3%, P = 0.007). More MH patients reported that bullying led to the current PED visit than that in the non-MH group (25% vs 10%, P = 0.02), and they were significantly more likely to report that CB led to self-harm (22% vs 4%, P = 0.003). Mental health participants who spent more than 3 hours on the Internet report higher levels of bullying than non-MH patients (38% vs 6%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Prevalence of bullying in MH patients presenting to a PED is significantly greater than controls, and CB caused more MH patients to have acts or thoughts of self-harm. Bullying is a risk factor for self-harm and suicide in patients with MH problems. Future studies should evaluate CB as part of suicide screening tools for emergency MH patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Meghan Clough
- From the Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, CT
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41
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Cozzi G, Lucarelli A, Borrometi F, Corsini I, Passone E, Pusceddu S, Morabito G, Barbi E, Benini F. How to recognize and manage psychosomatic pain in the pediatric emergency department. Ital J Pediatr 2021; 47:74. [PMID: 33766115 PMCID: PMC7992953 DOI: 10.1186/s13052-021-01029-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim Children and adolescents affected by somatization and somatic symptom disorder commonly refer to emergency services. Due to the absence of specific guidelines for the emergency setting and to a possible lack of knowledge, these patients are at risk of being unrecognized and mismanaged. This study aims at proposing a clinical practice to approach and manage these patients and their families in the emergency setting. Methods This manuscript derived from the work of a research group of italian pediatric emergency physicians and anesthesiologists, with an expertise in pain management, members of the PIPER group. The research group reviewed the literature about psychosomatic pain and somatic symptom disorder and developed a clinical practice specific for the pediatric emergency setting. Results The manuscript provides information about the main clinical features shared by patients with psychosomatic pain and about current diagnostic criteria and appropriate management in the emergency setting. Furthermore, it highlights the possible pitfalls in which the emergency physician may run into dealing with these patients. Conclusion This clinical practice should be seen as a starting point toward a better understanding of patients with psychosomatic pain and a standardization of care in the pediatric emergency setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Cozzi
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Via dell'Istria 65/1, 34137, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Annunziata Lucarelli
- Department of Paediatrics and Emergency, Giovanni XXIII Children's Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Fabio Borrometi
- Pediatric Pain Service and Palliative Care, Department of Oncology, Pausilipon Hospital, AORN Santobono Pausilipon, Naples, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsini
- Pediatric Emergency Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Eva Passone
- Pediatric Clinic, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, DAME, ASUFC S. Maria Della Misericordia, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Sara Pusceddu
- Pediatric Department, Ospedale S. Maria della Scaletta AUSL, Imola, Italy
| | - Giuliana Morabito
- Pediatric and Neonatology Division, Azienda Ospedaliera Santa Maria degli Angeli, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Egidio Barbi
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Via dell'Istria 65/1, 34137, Trieste, Italy.,Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Franca Benini
- Paediatric Palliative Care - Pain Service Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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42
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Reducing length of stay and return visits for emergency department pediatric mental health presentations. CAN J EMERG MED 2021; 23:103-110. [PMID: 33683603 DOI: 10.1007/s43678-020-00005-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Variability in expertise and risk tolerance among emergency departments (ED) clinicians, when assessing and managing pediatric mental health presentations, leads to increased resource utilization. HEARTSMAP is a validated electronic tool that supports ED clinicians in psychosocial assessments and disposition decision making. METHODS We used interrupted time series analysis (September 2016-December 2019) and multivariable regressions to measure the impact of integrating HEARTSMAP into ED practice on pediatric mental health presentations length of stay and return visits, at two pediatric EDs. The intervention site used HEARTSMAP trained ED clinicians to assess and manage mental health presentations, and reported bi-weekly ED median length of stay and 30 days-return visits for 15 months and a year, during passive and active implementation of HEARTSMAP, respectively. The control site used psychiatric nurses to assess and manage patients and was only exposed to passive implementation. RESULTS HEARTSMAP average uptake was on average 47.4% (range 23.8-74.6%) during active implementation at the intervention site, while the control site showed no uptake throughout the study period. Incremental HEARSTMAP (each percent increase) use was associated with a reduction of 1.8 min (95% CI 0.8-2.9 in ED length of stay and 0.3% (95% CI 0.2-0.5 in 30-day return visit rate. This translates to an adjusted average reduction of 85.3 min in ED length of stay and 15.2% in 30-day return visits for youth with mental health presentations. CONCLUSION Use of HEARTSMAP in the ED can decrease length of stay and return visits for emergency pediatric mental health visits, in a fixed-resource setting.
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43
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Marshall R, Ribbers A, Sheridan D, Johnson KP. Mental Health Diagnoses and Seasonal Trends at a Pediatric Emergency Department and Hospital, 2015-2019. Hosp Pediatr 2021; 11:199-206. [PMID: 33526413 DOI: 10.1542/hpeds.2020-000653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasingly, youth with mental health disorders and suicidality are presenting to emergency departments (EDs) and requiring hospitalization. For youth with suicidality, studies reveal seasonal variations in frequency of presentations but do not identify associated diagnoses or whether other primary mental health complaints also reveal seasonal variations. METHODS Data were collected between January 2015 and December 2019 by a child and adolescent psychiatry consultation-liaison service in a pediatric ED and hospital. Descriptive analysis and multiple linear regression were performed to assess volume over time, seasonal trends, and associated diagnoses. RESULTS A total of 2367 patients were included, with an average age of 13.9 years and female predominance (62.3%). During the study period, annual ED consultations increased 87.5% and hospital consultations increased 27.5%. Consultations revealed seasonal trends, with highest volumes during January, April, May, October, and November (P < .001; adjusted R 2 = 0.59). The most frequent diagnostic categories were depressive disorders and trauma- or stressor-related disorders. Thirty-six percent of patients presented after a suicide attempt, with the highest rates in spring (P = .03; adjusted R 2 = 0.19). Boarding rates revealed significant seasonality, with higher instances in February, March, April, May, and October (P = .009; adjusted R 2 = 0.32). CONCLUSIONS Mental health presentations to a pediatric ED and hospital reveal seasonal trends, with the highest volumes in fall and spring and the most common diagnoses being depressive and trauma-related disorders. Suicide attempts are highest in late spring. Knowledge of these trends should inform hospitals, mental health services, and school systems regarding staffing, safety, surveillance, and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Marshall
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, and
| | - Amanda Ribbers
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, and
| | - David Sheridan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Kyle P Johnson
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, and
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44
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Sheridan DC, Cloutier R, Johnson K, Marshall R. Where have all the emergency paediatric mental health patients gone during COVID-19? Acta Paediatr 2021; 110:598-599. [PMID: 32799399 PMCID: PMC7461447 DOI: 10.1111/apa.15537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David C. Sheridan
- Department of Emergency Medicine Oregon Health & Science University Portland OR USA
- Center of Policy and Research in Emergency Medicine Oregon Health & Science University Portland OR USA
| | - Robert Cloutier
- Department of Emergency Medicine Oregon Health & Science University Portland OR USA
| | - Kyle Johnson
- Department of Child Psychiatry Oregon Health & Science University Portland OR USA
| | - Rebecca Marshall
- Department of Child Psychiatry Oregon Health & Science University Portland OR USA
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45
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So P, Wierdsma AI, Kasius MC, Cornelis J, Lommerse M, Vermeiren RRJM, Mulder CL. Predictors of voluntary and compulsory admissions after psychiatric emergency consultation in youth. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2021; 30:747-756. [PMID: 32440727 PMCID: PMC8060175 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-020-01558-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
As hospital beds are scarce, and emergency admissions to a psychiatric ward are major life-events for children and adolescents, it is essential to have insight into the decision-making process that leads to them. To identify potentially modifiable factors, we, therefore, studied the contextual and clinical characteristics associated with the voluntary and compulsory emergency admission of minors. We used registry data (2008-2017) on 1194 outpatient emergencies involving children aged 6-18 who had been referred to the mobile psychiatric emergency service in two city areas in The Netherlands. Demographic and contextual factors were collected, as well as clinical characteristics including diagnoses, psychiatric history, Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), and the Severity of Psychiatric Illness (SPI) scale. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors that predict voluntary or compulsory admission. Of 1194 consultations, 227 (19.0%) resulted in an admission, with 137 patients (11.5%) being admitted voluntarily and 90 (7.5%) compulsorily. Independently of legal status, the following characteristics were associated with admission: severity of psychiatric symptoms, consultation outside the patient's home, and high levels of family disruption. Relative to voluntary admission, compulsory admission was associated with more severe psychiatric problems, higher suicide risk, and prior emergency compulsory admission. Two potentially modifiable factors were associated with psychiatric emergency admission: the place where patients were seen for consultation, and the presence of family problems. Psychiatric emergency admissions may be reduced if, whenever possible, minors are seen in their homes and if a system-oriented approach is used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pety So
- Youz, Center for Youth Mental Healthcare, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. .,Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - André I. Wierdsma
- grid.5645.2000000040459992XErasmus MC, University Medical Center, Epidemiological and Social Psychiatric Research Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Jurgen Cornelis
- grid.491093.60000 0004 0378 2028Department of Research, Arkin Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.491093.60000 0004 0378 2028Department of Emergency Psychiatry, Arkin Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marion Lommerse
- grid.491093.60000 0004 0378 2028Department of Emergency Psychiatry, Arkin Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert R. J. M. Vermeiren
- Youz, Center for Youth Mental Healthcare, Rotterdam, The Netherlands ,Youz, Center for Youth Mental Healthcare, The Hague, The Netherlands ,grid.10419.3d0000000089452978Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Curium-LUMC, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis L. Mulder
- Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.5645.2000000040459992XErasmus MC, University Medical Center, Epidemiological and Social Psychiatric Research Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Guedj-Bourdiau MJ, Guilé JM, Garny de la Rivière S, Pace U, Cohen D, Benarous X. Unmet Needs and Classical Pitfalls in the Management of Adolescents With Behavioral Problems in Emergency. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:527569. [PMID: 33643084 PMCID: PMC7907428 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.527569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
While behavioral problems are the main reasons for adolescents to be referred to an emergency room for mental health problems, their clinical management remain usually heterogenous, poorly standardized, and associated with a low level of patient and family satisfaction. So far, most attention has been paid to the treatment of agitation, and few insights have been provided on the treatment plan of behavioral problems once the crisis is over and a psychiatric or medical condition ruled out. This perspective article represents an attempt to incorporate multiple theoretical approaches to provide a comprehensive and operational model for the management of adolescents with behavioral problems in an emergency department. Short hypothetical case vignettes illustrate the importance of considering several levels of analysis to understand the adolescent's problematic behavior which can be seen as a symptom of a medical/psychiatric condition (medical model), as a maladaptive strategy in a context of vulnerability (developmental model), and finally as a mode of communication in a context of ill-adapted relational patterns (systemic model). As behavioral problems in adolescence are a complex issue, frequently involving the intervention of professionals from various disciplines, being aware of such different levels of understanding could help to preclude any role confusion and to provide better targeted interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jean-Marc Guilé
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, Amiens University Hospital, Amiens, France.,INSERM Unit U1105 Research Group for Analysis of the Multimodal Cerebral Function, University of Picardy Jules Verne (UPJV), Amiens, France.,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Ugo Pace
- Etablissement Public de Santé Mental de la Somme, Amiens, France
| | - David Cohen
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France.,CNRS UMR 7222, Institute for Intelligent Systems and Robotics, Paris, France
| | - Xavier Benarous
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, Amiens University Hospital, Amiens, France.,INSERM Unit U1105 Research Group for Analysis of the Multimodal Cerebral Function, University of Picardy Jules Verne (UPJV), Amiens, France
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47
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Nadler A, Avner D, Khine H, Avner JR, Fein DM. Rising Clinical Burden of Psychiatric Visits on the Pediatric Emergency Department. Pediatr Emerg Care 2021; 37:1-3. [PMID: 29596285 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000001473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The mental health epidemic in pediatrics has resulted in a growing clinical burden on the health care system, including pediatric emergency departments (PED). Our objective was to describe the changing characteristics of visits to an urban PED, in particular length of stay, for emergency psychiatric evaluations (EPEs) over a 10-year period. METHODS A retrospective study of children with an EPE in the PED at a large urban quaternary care children's hospital was performed during two discrete periods a decade apart: July 1, 2003-June 30, 2004 (period 1) and July 1, 2013-June 30, 2014 (period 2). Visit information, including length of stay and demographic data, were compared between groups. RESULTS There was a significant increase in the percentage of PED visits for EPE from period 1 to period 2 (1.1% vs 2.2% P < 0.0001). Overall, the median (interquartile range [IQR]) length of stay for children requiring an EPE increased significantly for all visits (5.3 [3.2-15.4] hours vs 17.0 [6.0-26.0] hours, P < 0.0001), including for patients who were admitted (17.8 [7.4-24.6] hours vs 27.0 [21.0-36.0] hours, P < 0.0001) and for those who were discharged (4.5 [2.8-7.7] hours vs 8 [5-20] hours, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Over a decade, the percentage of children with an EPE has doubled, with a significant increase in the amount of time spent in the PED. This highlights a continued surge in the utilization of PED resources for EPE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariella Nadler
- From the Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx
| | - Deena Avner
- Department of Pediatrics, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Westchester
| | - Hnin Khine
- From the Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx
| | - Jeffrey R Avner
- Department of Pediatrics, Maimonides Infant's and Children's Hospital of Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY
| | - Daniel M Fein
- From the Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx
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Marr M, Horwitz SM, Gerson R, Storfer-Isser A, Havens JF. Friendly Faces: Characteristics of Children and Adolescents With Repeat Visits to a Specialized Child Psychiatric Emergency Program. Pediatr Emerg Care 2021; 37:4-10. [PMID: 29438124 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000001428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Pediatric mental health emergency department (ED) visits continue to rise with 19% to 62% of youth presenting to the ED ultimately returning for a mental health-related complaint. To better understand the needs of children returning to the ED, this study examines the clinical, demographic, and environmental factors associated with revisits to a dedicated child psychiatric ED. METHODS Clinical factors, home environment, and mental health service utilization of 885 children presenting to a dedicated child psychiatric ED over a 1-year period were abstracted by retrospective chart review. Bivariate analyses comparing demographic and clinical characteristics for children with and without revisits and a multivariable logistic regression were performed. RESULTS Of the children presenting to the ED, 186 (21.0%) had at least 1 revisit in the subsequent 180 days. Thirty-one percent of initial visits presented as urgent, 55% presented as emergent. Children presenting with more severe symptoms at their initial visit were more likely to return within 6 months. Female gender, suicidal and disruptive behavioral symptomatology, and a diagnosis of oppositional defiant disorder were associated with repeat visits. Children with mental health system involvement were more likely to have revisits than those who were "treatment naive." CONCLUSIONS Revisits to the ED are driven by both clinical factors, including severity and psychosocial complexity, and barriers to accessing services. Addressing the problem of return ED visits will require the development of a robust mental health service system that is accessible to children and families of all socioeconomic levels.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah M Horwitz
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine
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Wurster Ovalle V, Martini A, Tanguay S, Carraccio C, Schumacher DJ. Implementing the Behavioral and Mental Health Entrustable Professional Activity: Insights for a Path Forward. Acad Pediatr 2021; 21:178-184. [PMID: 32645533 DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2020.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Revised: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Mental health problems in children are growing exponentially. General pediatricians, while in a unique position to address these issues as they arise, report they lack adequate training in assessing and managing behavioral/mental health (B/MH) problems. Underscoring the importance of this area, the American Board of Pediatrics has defined B/MH as one of only 17 foundational entrustable professional activities (EPAs) for general pediatric practice. Our goal was to explore the facilitators and barriers associated with implementing and assessing the B/MH EPA among pediatric residency programs in order to identify best practices and potential solutions to common barriers. METHODS In this qualitative study, 18 key faculty members from 4 residency programs with 3 years' experience implementing and assessing their residents on the B/MH EPA were purposively sampled. Semistructured interviews were conducted with each participant, and interviews were analyzed utilizing a thematic analysis. RESULTS Five themes were defined in the thematic analysis 1) B/MH training: who's responsible? 2) local context can serve as a barrier or facilitator, 3) B/MH may require longitudinal, integrated, and multidisciplinary training, 4) B/MH specialists: indispensable, yet a hurdle?, and 5) resident and faculty confidence and skill impact B/MH training. CONCLUSIONS The need for robust training to prepare pediatric residency graduates to meet the needs of patients with B/MH problems has never been greater. This study provides important insights about gaps in B/MH training. These should inform future directions focused on addressing this need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Wurster Ovalle
- Department of Pediatrics (V Wurster Ovalle, A Martini, S Tanguay, and DJ Schumacher), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), Cincinnati, Ohio; Division of Emergency Medicine (V Wurster Ovalle, A Martini, and DJ Schumacher), CCHMC, Cincinnati, Ohio.
| | - Abigail Martini
- Department of Pediatrics (V Wurster Ovalle, A Martini, S Tanguay, and DJ Schumacher), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), Cincinnati, Ohio; Division of Emergency Medicine (V Wurster Ovalle, A Martini, and DJ Schumacher), CCHMC, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Shelby Tanguay
- Department of Pediatrics (V Wurster Ovalle, A Martini, S Tanguay, and DJ Schumacher), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Carol Carraccio
- The American Board of Pediatrics (C Carraccio), Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Daniel J Schumacher
- Department of Pediatrics (V Wurster Ovalle, A Martini, S Tanguay, and DJ Schumacher), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), Cincinnati, Ohio; Division of Emergency Medicine (V Wurster Ovalle, A Martini, and DJ Schumacher), CCHMC, Cincinnati, Ohio
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50
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Freedman S, Thull-Freedman J, Lightbody T, Prisnie K, Wright B, Coulombe A, Anderson LM, Stang AS, Mikrogianakis A, VanRiper L, Stubbs M, Newton A. Introducing an innovative model of acute paediatric mental health and addictions care to paediatric emergency departments: a protocol for a multicentre prospective cohort study. BMJ Open Qual 2020; 9:bmjoq-2020-001106. [PMID: 33318032 PMCID: PMC7737085 DOI: 10.1136/bmjoq-2020-001106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Children and youth with mental health and addiction crises are a vulnerable patient group that often are brought to the hospital for emergency department care. We propose to evaluate the effect of a novel, acute care bundle that standardises a patient-centred approach to care. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Two paediatric emergency departments in Alberta, Canada are involved in this prospective, pragmatic, 29-month interventional quasi-experimental study. The acute care bundle comprises three components, applied when appropriate: (1) assessing self-harm risk at triage using the Ask Suicide-Screening Questionnaire (ASQ) to standardise the questions administered, enabling risk stratification; (2) use of the HEADS-ED (Home, Education, Activities/peers, Drug/alcohol, Suicidality, Emotions and behaviour, Discharge Resources) to focus mental health evaluations for those who screen high risk on the ASQ; and (3) implementation of a Choice And Partnership Approach to enable shared decision making in care following the emergency department visit. The overarching goal is to deliver the right care at the right place and time for the patients. The study design involves a longitudinal collection of data 12 months before and after the introduction of the bundle and the use of quality improvement strategies such as Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles during a 5-month run-in period to test and implement changes. The primary study end-point is child/youth well-being 1 month after the emergency department visit. Secondary outcomes include family functioning, child/youth well-being at 3 and 6 months, satisfaction with emergency department care, and health system outcomes (hospital admissions, length of emergency department stays, emergency department revisits). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study is registered at www.ClinicalTrials.gov and has received ethics and operational approvals from study sites. The results of the study will be reported in accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology statement. Results will be shared broadly with key policy and decision makers and disseminated in peer-reviewed academic journals and presentations at conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04292379.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Freedman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jennifer Thull-Freedman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Teresa Lightbody
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Children, Youth, and Families, Addiction and Mental Health, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kassi Prisnie
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Bruce Wright
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Emergency Department, Stollery Children's Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Angela Coulombe
- Children, Youth, and Families, Addiction and Mental Health, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Linda M Anderson
- Emergency Department, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Antonia S Stang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Angelo Mikrogianakis
- Emergency Department, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lindy VanRiper
- Emergency Department, Stollery Children's Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Michael Stubbs
- Department of Psychiatry, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Amanda Newton
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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