Full access
Professional News
Published Online: 18 June 2004

ER Docs Report Large Increase In Psychiatric Patients

Kate MulliganAuthors Info & Affiliations
Publication: Psychiatric News
Volume 39, Number 12
https://doi.org/10.1176/pn.39.12.0390010a
Track CitationsAdd to favorites
Nearly two-thirds (61 percent) of emergency room (ER) physicians who responded to a recent survey reported an increase in the number of patients who had psychiatric emergencies in the previous six to 12 months.
The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) undertook the survey in March 2004 in partnership with APA, the National Mental Health Association, and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.
The survey was conducted online, after 340 respondents replied to an invitation in the ACEP newsletter.
Two-thirds of the respondents (67 percent) have noticed more psychiatric patients “boarding” in the emergency room.
According to 81 percent of the respondents, the increase in boarders has a negative effect on the care of other patients. Among the problems are decreased availability of ER staff for other patients, longer waits for patients in the waiting room, and patient frustration.
Eleven percent of the respondents said they knew of nowhere but the emergency room for patients with psychiatric emergencies to receive care.
Forty-eight percent of respondents said that the number of psychiatric beds in the region had decreased in the preceding six to 12 months. Less than a quarter (24 percent) said the number had not decreased, and the remainder did not know.
More than 90 percent of the respondents who have seen an increase in the number of patients with psychiatric emergencies attribute the change to state budget cuts to Medicaid, decreasing number of psychiatric beds, or a combination of the two.
“The findings underscore the serious consequences that state budget cuts to programs like Medicaid are having not only for people with mental illness, but for anyone who might find himself or herself in an emergency room,” said APA Medical Director James H. Scully Jr., M.D.
A press release on the survey, titled “Emergency Departments See Dramatic Increase in People with Mental Illness Seeking Care,” is posted online at<www.psych.org/news_room/press_releases/emergencystudy06032004.pdf>.▪

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Psychiatric News
Psychiatric News
Volume 39 • Number 12 • June 18, 2004
Pages: 10

History

Published online: 18 June 2004
Published in print: June 18, 2004

Notes

The impact of Medicaid budget cuts is being felt by patients and physicians in emergency rooms.

Authors

Details

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Export Citations

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu.

Format
Citation style
Style
Copy to clipboard
Tips for downloading citations

View Options

View options

Login options

Already a subscriber? Access your subscription through your login credentials or your institution for full access to this article.

Personal login Institutional Login Open Athens login

Not a subscriber?

Subscribe Now / Learn More

PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5-TR® library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.

Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Share article link

Share

×

As described within the American Psychiatric Association (APA)'s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, this website utilizes cookies, including for the purpose of offering an optimal online experience and services tailored to your preferences. Please read the entire Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. By closing this message, browsing this website, continuing the navigation, or otherwise continuing to use the APA's websites, you confirm that you understand and accept the terms of the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including the utilization of cookies.