Skip to main content
Log in

Who comes to the psychiatric emergency room and how they are helped

  • Articles
  • Published:
Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The goal of this study was to better understand who comes to the psychiatric emergency room and how they are helped. Clinical and demographic data were collected on all visits to a psychiatric emergency room over about two years. The results suggest directions for planning services based on a comprehensive profile of patients and highlight the importance of an efficient referral system. Also revealed is a need for additional services particularly for substance abusing patients. Finally, the authors discuss other gaps in the public mental health system.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abrams, R.C., & Alexopoulos, G.S. (1987). Substance abuse in the elderly: Alcohol and prescription drugs.Hospital & Community Psychiatry, 38, 1285–1287.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bassuk, E.L., Minden, S., & Apsler, R. (1983). Geriatric emergencies: Psychiatric or medical?American Journal of Psychiatry, 140, 539–542.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blouin, A., Perez, E., & Minoletti, A. (1985). Compliance to referrals from the psychiatric emergency room.Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 30, 103–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Briere, J., & Zaidi, L.Y. (1989). Sexual abuse histories and sequelae in female psychiatric emergency room patients.American Journal of Psychiatry, 146, 1602–1606.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, N.L., & Marcos, L.R. (1990). Law, policy, and involuntary emergency room visits.Psychiatric Quarterly, 61, 197–204.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Craine, L.S., Henson, C.E., Colliver, J.A., & MacLean, D.G. (1988). Prevalence of a history of sexual abuse among female psychiatric patients in a state hospital system.Hospital & Community Psychiatry, 39, 300–304.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dubin, W.R., Weiss, K.J., & Dorn, J.M. (1986). Pharmacotherapy of psychiatric emergencies.Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 6, 210–222.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ellison, J.M., Blum, N., & Barsky, A.J. (1986). Repeat visitors in the psychiatric emergency service: A critical review of the data.Hospital & Community Psychiatry, 37, 37–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellison, J.M., Hughes, D.H., & White, K.A. (1989). An emergency psychiatry update.Hospital & Community Psychiatry, 40, 250–260.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellison, J.M., & Jacobs, D. (1986). Emergency psychopharmocology: A review and update.Annals of Emergency Medicine, 15, 962–968.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Friedman, S., Feinsilver, D.L., Davis, G.W., Margolis, R., David, O.J., & Kesselman, M. (1981). Decision to admit in an innercity psychiatric emergency room: Beyond diagnosis—the psychosocial factors.Psychiatric Quarterly, 53, 259–274.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gondolf, E.W., Mulvey, E.P., & Lidz, C.W. (1991). Psychiatric admission of family violent versus nonfamily violent patients.International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 14, 245–254.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hillard, J., Slomowitz, M., & Deddens, J. (1988). Determinants of emergency psychiatric admission for adolescents and adults.American Journal of Psychiatry, 145, 1416–1419.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hillard, J.R., Slomowitz, M., & Levi, L.S. (1987). A retrospective study of adolescents' visits to a general hospital psychiatric emergency service.American Journal of Psychiatry, 144, 432–435.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jacobson, A., & Herald C. (1990). The relevance of childhood sexual abuse to adult psychiatric inpatient care.Hospital & Community Psychiatry, 41, 154–158.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, A.S., & Hillard, J.R. (1990). Prevalence of eating disorders in the psychiatric emergency room.Psychosomatics, 31, 337–341.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marson, D.C., McGovern, M.P., & Pomp, H.C. (1988). Psychiatric decision making in the emergency room: A research overview.American Journal of Psychiatry, 145, 918–925.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McNiel, D.E., Myers, R.S., Zeiner, H.K., Wolfe, H.L., & Hatcher, C. (1992). The role of violence in decisions about hospitalization from the psychiatric emergency room.American Journal of Psychiatry, 149, 207–212.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Munves, P.I., Trimboli, F., & North, A.J. (1983). A study of repeat visits to a psychiatric emergency room.Hospital & Community Psychiatry, 34, 634–638.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olfson, M. (1989). Psychiatric emergency room dispositions of HMO enrollees.Hospital & Community Psychiatry, 40, 639–641.

    Google Scholar 

  • Puryear, D.A., Lovitt, R., & Miller, D.A. (1991). Characteristics of elderly persons seen in an urban psychiatric emergency room.Hospital & Community Psychiatry, 42, 802–807.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reichler, B.D., Clement, J.L., & Dunner, D.L. (1983). Chart review of alcohol problems in adolescent psychiatric patients in an emergency room.Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 44, 338–339.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, P., & Eaton, P. (1986). Multiple attempters of suicide presenting at an emergency department.Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 31, 328–330.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salamon, I., Kennedy, R., & McKegney, F.P. (1992). Computer linkage of psychiatric emergency rooms.Hospital & Community Psychiatry, 43, 397–399.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, D.A., Weiss, A.T., & Miner, J.M. (1972). Community psychiatry and emergency services.American Journal of Psychiatry, 129, 710–714.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Slagg, N.B. (1993). Characteristics of emergency room patients that predict hospitalization or disposition to alternative treatments.Hospital & Community Psychiatry, 44, 252–256.

    Google Scholar 

  • Szuster, R.R., Schanbacher, B.L., & McCann, S.C. (1990). Characteristics of psychiatric emergency room patients with alcohol- or drug-induced disorders.Hospital & Community Psychiatry, 41, 1342–1345.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waxman, H.M., Dubin, W., Klein, M., Weiss, K.J., & Carner, E.A. (1984). Geriatric psychiatry in the emergency department, II: Evaluation and treatment of geriatric and nongeriatric admissions.Journal of American Geriatric Society, 32, 343–349.

    Google Scholar 

  • Way, B.B., Evans, M.E., & Banks, S.M. (1992). Factors predicting referral to inpatient or outpatient treatment from psychiatric emergency services.Hospital & Community Psychiatry, 43, 703–708.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wellin, E., Slesinger, D., & Hollister, C.D. (1987). Psychiatric emergency services: Evolution, adaptation and proliferation.Social Science and Medicine, 24, 475–482.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rabinowitz, J., Slyuzberg, M., Salamon, I. et al. Who comes to the psychiatric emergency room and how they are helped. Adm Policy Ment Health 23, 425–437 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02112902

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02112902

Keywords

Navigation