Regional Psychiatric Emergency Services: Good for Psychiatric Patients and EDs

In Alameda County, California, a regional psychiatric emergency services (PES) facility accepts all patients on psychiatric holds. Patients receive intensive psychiatric treatment for up to 24 hours, with the goal of rapid psychiatric stabilization to avoid inpatient hospitalizations. To determine the effect of this regional PES facility on emergency department (ED) boarding times and hospitalization rates, 5 community hospitals tracked all ED patients on involuntary mental health holds during 1 month.

Average ED boarding time from medical clearance to ED discharge was 108 minutes. Of the 144 patients referred to the PES facility, 75% were stabilized within 24 hours and discharged directly from the facility, with only 25% of patients requiri…