Increase in ED Visits for Psychiatric Problems by U.S. Youth

You aren't imagining it: ED visits for pediatric psychiatric problems are increasing.

About 10% of U.S. youths have psychiatric disorders, and many never get treatment. Using 2011–2015 data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, researchers examined trends in emergency department (ED) visits by patients aged 6 to 24 years given a psychiatric diagnosis.

Pediatric psychiatric ED visits increased 28%, from 31 to 40 per 1000 youth. The increase in visits was greater in adolescents (54%) than children or young adults, and in African American (53%) and Hispanic patients (91%) than non-Hispanic white patients (9%). Suicide-related visits increased 2.5-fold among adolescents. ED visits for psychiatric problems were long (51% >3 hours; 22% >6 hours). Most patients (84%) were not seen by a psychiatric care provider …

Reviewing Author

Carolyn K. Holland, MD, MEd, FACEP, FAAP

Disclosures

EquityGeneral Electric

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine (Program Committee Chief Resident Forum Subcommittee Chair); American College of Emergency Physicians (Education Committee member)

Carolyn K. Holland, MD, MEd, FACEP, FAAP

Disclosures

EquityGeneral Electric

Increase in ED Visits for Psychiatric Problems by U.S. Youth

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Reviewing Author