The Impact of a New On-site Inpatient Psychiatric Unit in an Urban Pediatric Emergency Department

Objective The objective of this study was to describe the impact of opening an inpatient child psychiatric unit in an urban tertiary care pediatric emergency department (PED). Design/Methods A retrospective chart review was performed of pediatric patients seen in the PED at a large tertiary care center who presented for a primary psychiatric concern before opening of the inpatient psychiatric unit within the same hospital and 6 months following, allowing for a 6-month adjustment period. Patients were identified via query of the ED Cube model, an institutional database by a "behavioral health" flag that is documented in triage. Patients were excluded if subsequent chart review did not reveal a psychiatric concern and the patient did not undergo psychiatric evaluation during the PED visit. Charts were reviewed for baseline patient demographics, psychiatric interventions performed, and disposition. Additional flow metrics obtained were PED volume, percentage of psychiatric visits, and length of stay for both psychiatric-related visits compared with the general population. Results Visits to the PED for psychiatric evaluation increased 135% from 91 to 226 after initiation of an inpatient psychiatric unit. There was no difference in baseline patient demographics or rate of medical/mechanical restraints used. Percentage of behavioral health patients admitted to medical units decreased, although overall admission rate remained stable. Length of stay for behavioral health patients was longer after opening of the unit and remained significantly higher than the general population before opening of the inpatient unit, 363 minutes versus 177 minutes, respectively, and further lengthened after to 418 minutes versus 188 minutes. Discussion Patients presenting for psychiatric evaluation are a significant burden to PED flow both in volume and time for evaluation and boarding. This is to the detriment of patients seeking appropriate mental health services and to the rest of patients in the PED. Both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services are overwhelmed creating a downstream affect; limited resources delays disposition and increases boarding in the PED. Further resources are needed to appropriately address psychiatric concerns, such as dedicated psychiatric holding units and brief PED interventions targeted to safety planning and interventions.