Youth Crisis: The Current State and Future Directions.

The number of children and youth experiencing behavioral health crisis in the United States is substantially increasing. Currently, there are shortages to home-based and community-based services as well as psychiatric outpatient and inpatient pediatric care, leading to high emergency department utilization. This article introduces a proposed crisis continuum of care, highlights existing evidence, and provides opportunities for further research and advocacy.

Association between mental health social worker staffing in psychiatric emergency wards and readmission outcomes: A nationwide survey in Japan.

Aim: The mental healthcare system in Japan is transitioning from institution-based to community-based treatment. To prevent prolonged hospitalization and community integration of psychiatric patients, mental health social workers (MHSWs) are pivotal in coordinating post-discharge arrangements for psychiatric inpatients. This study aimed to propose a care model to improve clinical outcomes in psychiatric emergency wards in Japan. Methods: We conducted a mail-in questionnaire survey targeting medical facilities with psychiatric emergency wards. We collected data of the psychiatric care system, including facility profiles, staffing conditions and caseloads, and the provided psychiatric services and treatment options. Using multiple regression analyses, we explored associations between these data and clinical outcomes, focusing on the average number of days for hospitalization and the integration of patients into a community. Results: Data were collected from 82 facilities (response rate, 45.8%). The average number of days for hospitalization and community integration were 64.7 and 327.9 days, respectively. The caseloads for MHSWs were significantly associated with longer hospitalization (ß = 0.31, p = 0.009) and shorter duration of community living (ß = -0.28, p = 0.027). Conclusion: The clinical performance in psychiatric emergency wards surpassed the Japanese government's targets regarding these outcomes. We found that heavy caseloads on MHSWs were associated with worse clinical outcomes for patients in psychiatric emergency wards. These findings suggest that reducing MHSW caseloads (≤20 cases) may be a potential interventional strategy to prevent prolonged hospitalization and promote successful community integration of patients.

Brazilian Psychiatric Association Consensus on the physical structure and ideal team for psychiatric emergencies services.

INTRODUCTION: An integral part of Brazil's public health system, the psychiatric emergency service (PES) has been instrumental in improving qualified support for crisis situations of mental disorders, equitable, universally accessible, and humanized. The purpose of this article is to present a systematic review and consensus about the physical area and facilities, and ideal team qualified for psychiatric emergencies services on both Brazilian settings. METHODS: The authors conducted a literature search using electronic databases such as MEDLINE (PubMed), Scielo, the Cochrane Database, and documents from the WHO, the Brazilian Ministry of Health, and others deemed relevant by experts. A total of 6839 manuscripts were found, but only 46 were selected. The analysis of article content summarizes consensus statements using the Delphi method and a series of interactive versions to provide a final report. RESULTS: Changes to PES are evaluated considering various experiences and models. The authors highlighted that The Emergency Care Network (ECN) must be coordinated with qualified management, effective implementation of integration of all health equipment's and units. PES must have adequate infrastructure; qualified staff, including a psychiatrist; sufficient consultation and observational spaces; tools and resources for differential diagnosis; training for all staff members; and communication with the health care network to facilitate referrals following patient discharge are all necessary. CONCLUSION: These standardized models need to be available to public health managers so that they can guide the installation of new services and adjust the existing ones, always looking for improvement. The authors propose requirements for PES as a model to be passed over.

Patient Flow and Reutilization of Crisis Services Within 30 Days in a Comprehensive Crisis System.

OBJECTIVE: Crisis services are undergoing an unprecedented expansion in the United States, but research is lacking on crisis system design. This study describes how individuals flow through a well-established crisis system and examines factors associated with reutilization of such services. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used Medicaid claims to construct episodes describing the flow of individuals through mobile crisis, specialized crisis facility, emergency department, and inpatient services. Claims data were merged with electronic health record (EHR) data for the subset of individuals receiving care at a crisis response center. A generalized estimating equation was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios for demographic, clinical, and operational factors associated with reutilization of services within 30 days of an episode's end point. RESULTS: Of 41,026 episodes, most (57.4%) began with mobile crisis services or a specialized crisis facility rather than the emergency department. Of the subset (N=9,202 episodes) with merged EHR data, most episodes (63.3%) were not followed by reutilization. Factors associated with increased odds of 30-day reutilization included Black race, homelessness, stimulant use, psychosis, and episodes beginning with mobile crisis services or ending with inpatient care. Decreased odds were associated with depression, trauma, and involuntary legal status. Most (59.3%) episodes beginning with an involuntary legal status ended with a voluntary status. CONCLUSIONS: Crisis systems can serve a large proportion of individuals experiencing psychiatric emergencies and divert them from more restrictive and costly levels of care. Understanding demographic, clinical, and operational factors associated with 30-day reutilization may aid in the design and implementation of crisis systems.

The characteristics of elderly suicidal attempters in the emergency department in Korea: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Although Korea ranks first in the suicide rate of elderly individuals, there is limited research on those who attempt suicide, with preventive measures largely based on population-based studies. We compared the demographic and clinical characteristics of elderly individuals who attempted suicide with those of younger adults who visited the emergency department after suicide attempts and identified the factors associated with lethality in the former group. METHODS: Individuals who visited the emergency department after a suicide attempt from April 1, 2017, to January 31, 2020, were included. Participants were classified into two groups according to age (elderly, ≥65 years; adult, 18-64 years). Among the 779 adult patients, 123 were elderly. We conducted a chi-square test to compare the demographic and clinical features between these groups and a logistic regression analysis to identify the risk factors for lethality in the elderly group. RESULTS: Most elderly participants were men, with no prior psychiatric history or suicide attempts, and had a higher prevalence of underlying medical conditions and attributed their attempts to physical illnesses. Being sober and planning suicide occurred more frequently in this group. In the elderly group, factors that increased the mortality rate were biological male sex (p<0.05), being accompanied by family members (p<0.05), and poisoning as a suicide method (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Suicide attempts in elderly individuals have different characteristics from those in younger adults and are associated with physical illness. Suicides in the former group are unpredictable, deliberate, and fatal. Therefore, tailored prevention and intervention strategies addressing the characteristics of those who are elderly and attempt suicide are required.

[Intentos de suicidio en personas mayores en servicios de Urgencias psiquiátricas hospitalarias.] / Elderly people's suicide attempts in psychiatric emergency departments.

OBJECTIVE: Elderly people have a high prevalence of mental disorder, low demand for care and increased risk of suicidal behaviour. Psychiatric emergency care may be the gateway to health services. Therefore, the aims of this study were: 1) to compare the profile of people aged sixty-five years and older seen for suicide attempts (SA) and those seen for other mental health problems in hospital psychiatric emergency departments; and 2) to establish the specificity of the Columbia Screening Scale (C-SSRS) in the exploration of suicide risk. METHODS: We carried out a secondary analysis of a descriptive, multicentre, observational, descriptive study comparing all persons seen for SA (n=21) and a control group (n=27) seen for another reason, between January and October 2015. Non-parametric analyses were performed on sociodemographic and clinical variables, stressful life events experienced and C-SSRS. RESULTS: 1) Among those attending for SA, 52.4% were men while those attending for another reason accounted for 18.5%. 2) 38.1% of those attending for SA were in mental health follow-up compared to 66.7% of those attending for other reasons. 3) C-SSRS screening discriminated between those seen for SA and those seen for other reasons. CONCLUSIONS: SA in older men may be the opportunity to initiate care and continuity of care in mental health services. The use of the C-SSRS scale in hospital psychiatric emergency departments is recommended.

OBJETIVO: En las personas mayores hay una alta prevalencia de trastorno mental, baja demanda asistencial y mayor riesgo de conducta suicida. La atención en Urgencias psiquiátricas puede ser la puerta de acceso a los servicios de salud. Por lo tanto, este trabajo tuvo como objetivos: 1) comparar el perfil de las personas de sesenta y cinco o más años atendidas por intento de suicidio (IS) y las atendidas por otros problemas de salud mental en Urgencias psiquiátricas hospitalarias; y 2) establecer la especificidad de la Escala de Cribado Columbia (C-SSRS) en la exploración del riesgo de suicidio. METODOS: Se realizó un análisis secundario de un estudio observacional descriptivo, multicéntrico, en el que se compararon todas las personas atendidas por IS (n=21) y un grupo control (n=27) atendido por otro motivo, entre enero y octubre de 2015. Se realizan análisis no paramétricos en variables sociodemográficas, clínicas, acontecimientos vitales estresantes vividos y C-SSRS. RESULTADOS: 1) Entre quienes acuden por IS el 52,4% eran hombres mientras que los que acudían por otro motivo eran el 18,5%. 2) El 38,1% de quienes acudieron por IS se encontraban en seguimiento en salud mental frente al 66,7% de los atendidos por otros motivos. 3) El cribado mediante C-SSRS discriminó entre las atenciones por IS y otro motivo. CONCLUSIONES: El IS en los hombres mayores puede ser la oportunidad para iniciar la atención y continuidad de cuidados en los servicios de salud mental. Se recomienda el uso de la escala C-SSRS en Urgencias psiquiátricas hospitalarias.

Intentos de suicidio en personas mayores en servicios de Urgencias psiquiátricas hospitalarias / Elderly people’s suicide attempts in psychiatric emergency departments

Fundamentos: En las personas mayores hay una alta prevalencia de trastorno mental, baja demanda asistencial y mayor riesgo de conducta suicida. La atención en Urgencias psiquiátricas puede ser la puerta de acceso a los servicios de salud. Por lo tanto, este trabajo tuvo como objetivos: 1) comparar el perfil de las personas de sesenta y cinco o más años atendidas por intento de suicidio (IS) y las atendidas por otros problemas de salud mental en Urgencias psiquiátricas hospitalarias; y 2) establecer la especificidad de la Escala de Cribado Columbia (C-SSRS) en la exploración del riesgo de suicidio. Métodos: Se realizó un análisis secundario de un estudio observacional descriptivo, multicéntrico, en el que se compararon todas las personas atendidas por IS (n=21) y un grupo control (n=27) atendido por otro motivo, entre enero y octubre de 2015. Se realizan análisis no paramétricos en variables sociodemográficas, clínicas, acontecimientos vitales estresantes vividos y C-SSRS. Resultados: 1) Entre quienes acuden por IS el 52,4% eran hombres mientras que los que acudían por otro motivo eran el 18,5%. 2) El 38,1% de quienes acudieron por IS se encontraban en seguimiento en salud mental frente al 66,7% de los atendidos por otros motivos. 3) El cribado mediante C-SSRS discriminó entre las atenciones por IS y otro motivo.Conclusiones: El IS en los hombres mayores puede ser la oportunidad para iniciar la atención y continuidad de cuidados en los servicios de salud mental. Se recomienda el uso de la escala C-SSRS en Urgencias psiquiátricas hospitalarias.(AU)

Background: Elderly people have a high prevalence of mental disorder, low demand for care and increased risk of suicidal behaviour. Psychiatric emergency care may be the gateway to health services. Therefore, the aims of this study were: 1) to compare the profile of people aged sixty-five years and older seen for suicide attempts (SA) and those seen for other mental health problems in hospital psychiatric emergency departments; and 2) to establish the specificity of theColumbia Screening Scale (C-SSRS) in the exploration of suicide risk. Methods: We carried out a secondary analysis of a descriptive, multicentre, observational, descriptive study comparing all persons seen for SA (n=21) and a control group (n=27) seen for another reason, between January and October 2015. Non-parametric analyses were performed on sociodemographic and clinical variables, stressful life events experienced and C-SSRS. Results: 1) Among those attending for SA, 52.4% were men while those attending for another reason accounted for 18.5%. 2) 38.1% of those attending for SA were in mental health follow-up compared to 66.7% of those attending for other reasons. 3) C-SSRS screening discriminated between those seen for SA and those seen for other reasons. Conclusions: SA in older men may be the opportunity to initiate care and continuity of care in mental health services. The use of the C-SSRS scale in hospital psychiatric emergency departments is recommended.(AU)

Longitudinal Outcomes of the top 20 Utilizers of VA Connecticut's Psychiatric Emergency Services Between 2010 and 2020.

Frequent utilizers of emergency services represent a clinically important cohort with potentially unmet health care needs despite demanding a high volume of costly services. However, not much is known about their longitudinal course. This study identified the top 20 utilizers of VA Connecticut's psychiatric emergency services and conducted a chart review of their longitudinal outcomes during an 11-year period between 2010 and 2020, including their visit diagnoses, medical and psychiatric comorbidities, and types and frequency of other medical services and supports received. At the index visit, 19 of the 20 patients had substance use disorder and 14 patients had at least one non-substance psychiatric diagnosis. Despite all patients receiving primary care and other services, such as residential treatments, outpatient therapy, and social work consults, 11 of the 12 patients remaining alive and residing in the state continued to utilize psychiatric emergency services in 2020, revealing a pattern of persistent use.

Psychiatric emergencies among urban youth during COVID-19: Volume and acuity in a multi-channel program for the publicly insured.

This study sought to characterize changes in the utilization of psychiatric emergency services among children and adolescents during distinct phases of 2020, as compared with prior years. We conducted a retrospective review of electronic health records from January 2018 through December 2020 that included all encounters made by patients under age 21. We then analyzed data for the 15,045 youth psychiatric encounters during the study period. Encounter volume in 2020 was significantly lower than prior years in March through May (IRR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.40-0.49), May through July (IRR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.56-0.71), and October through December (IRR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.70-0.83). Encounters for youth with primary psychotic disorders remained at typical levels throughout 2020. Among older adolescents and youth with anxiety disorders, pervasive developmental disorders, and substance use disorders, encounter volume was significantly lower than prior years only during the initial lockdown period. There were significantly more encounters than normal conducted by mobile crisis units, including via telehealth, in July through October (IRR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.06-1.62) and October through December (IRR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.05-1.55) of 2020. Differences in patterns of encounter volume based on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics highlight subgroups of youth who may have been particularly vulnerable to acute mental health problems during periods of social distancing and isolation. Proactive efforts to engage vulnerable youth in outpatient treatment during periods of increased infectivity may help prevent increasing symptoms from reaching the point of crisis.

Estudo retrospectivo de caracterização epidemiológica de queixa, diagnóstico e população pouco explorados num serviço de urgência de psiquiatria da infância e adolescência / Retrospective study of the epidemiological characterization of little explored complaints, diagnoses and population in a child and adolescent psychiatry emergency service

Introdução: A prevalência de transtornos mentais na população pediátrica é presumida em 13,4%. Porém, apenas um em cada seis recebe tratamento apropriado, evidenciando a lacuna entre necessidade e acesso à assistência. Isso resulta em maior risco para situações de crise psicossocial, especialmente entre aqueles em situações de vulnerabilidade com acesso limitado a recursos de tratamento. Diante da diversidade de temas no cenário de urgência em psiquiatria da infância e adolescência (PIA), nosso estudo escolhe tópicos menos explorados, visando compreender fatores sociodemográficos que levam essa população ao serviço de urgência de PIA. Objetivos: Caracterização epidemiológica de queixa (irritabilidade e uso de substâncias), diagnóstico (Autismo) e população (adolescentes em medidas socioeducativas) pouco explorados num serviço de urgência de PIA. Métodos: Estudo transversal retrospectivo realizado pela análise de prontuários dos pacientes, de até 18 anos, atendidos no período de 01 de junho de 2017 a 31 de maio de 2018 na urgência de PIA de um serviço de Belo Horizonte. Resultados: Agressividade, agitação e irritabilidade foram as queixas mais comuns no atendimento de urgência. A irritabilidade esteve associada ao diagnóstico de transtorno de humor sem especificação no atendimento de urgência. Transtorno do Espectro Autista foi o único diagnóstico associado à busca de atendimento por irritabilidade, com taxa de primodiagnóstico de 23% e em idade tardia. O uso de maconha, cocaína e álcool foi comum entre os pacientes atendidos na urgência, e a depressão foi o diagnóstico mais relacionado ao uso de substâncias (SPA). 24,8% dos atendimentos com relato de uso de SPA envolviam adolescentes em medidas socioeducativas (SE). Estes, frequentemente relataram vivências traumáticas e maior chance de quadros de transtornos relacionados ao estresse, de conduta e por uso de SPA. Conclusões: Os achados reforçam a hipótese de que as unidades de urgência podem servir como ponto inicial de diagnóstico e acesso de crianças e adolescentes com transtornos mentais, destacando possíveis lacunas na atenção básica. As unidades de SE parecem precisar aprimorar a abordagem de questões ligadas ao uso de SPA. Compreender as características da população que frequenta a urgência de PIA permite debater estratégias para prevenção e tratamento de transtornos com impacto na rede de cuidados da infância e adolescência.

Introduction: The prevalence of mental disorders in the pediatric population is estimated at 13.4%. However, only one in every six individuals receives adequate treatment, highlighting the gap between necessity and access to care. This disparity results in an elevated risk for psychosocial crisis situations, particularly among those in vulnerable circumstances with limited access to treatment resources. Given the diversity of issues in the context of child and adolescent psychiatry (CAP) emergencies, our study focuses on less explored topics, aiming to comprehend the sociodemographic factors that lead this population to seek urgent care in CAP settings. Objectives: Epidemiological characterization of underexplored complaints (Irritability and Substance Use), diagnosis (Autism) and population (Adolescents imprisoned) in a CAP emergency service. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study conducted through the analysis of medical records of patients, up to 18 years, attended at the CAP emergency department of a facility in Belo Horizonte, during the period from June 1, 2017, to May 31, 2018. Results: Aggressiveness, agitation and irritability were the most frequent complaints in emergency care. Irritability was associated with the diagnosis of unspecified mood disorder in the clinical setting. Autism Spectrum Disorder was the only pre-existing diagnosis associated with seeking care due to irritability, with a first-diagnosis rate of 23%, occurring later in age. The use of marijuana, cocaine, and alcohol was prevalent among patients attending the emergency department, with depression being the diagnosis most closely linked to the substance use (SU). Among cases involving reported of SU, 24.8% involved adolescents within socio-educational measures (SE), who often reported traumatic experiences. This group also exhibited higher likelihood of stress-related disorders, conduct disorders, and SU-related conditions. Conclusions: The findings reinforce the hypothesis that emergency units can serve as an initial point of contact for children and adolescents with mental disorders, highlighting potential gaps in primary care. SE units demonstrated a need for improvement in addressing issues related to SU. By comprehending the population frequenting the CAP emergency department, it becomes possible to discuss strategies for the prevention and treatment of disorders with impacts on the childhood and adolescence care network.

Protocolos de atendimentos as urgências psiquiá- tricas no atendimento pré-hospitalar: revisão integrativa da literatura / Care protocols for psychiatric emergencies in pre- hospital care: integrative literature review / Protocolos para la atención de urgencias psiquiar-trick en el servicio prehospital: examen integrativo de la literatura

Objetivo: identificar na literatura o conhecimento produzido acerca de protocolos de atendimentos as Urgências Psiquiátricas no atendimento pré-hospitalar. Método: Estudo de revisão integrativa realizada entre os meses de fevereiro e abril de 2023 nas seguintes base de dados : Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde; Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online; Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature ; EMBASE; Web of Science e US National Library of Medicine e pelos sites das secretarias de Estado da Saúde de todos os estados brasileiros, utilizando combinações com os seguintes Descritores em Ciência da Saúde: Assistência Pré-hospitalar ; Protocolos; Serviços de Emergência Psiquiátrica, combinados por meio do operador booleano "AND" em seis bases de dados, visando responder à seguinte questão: "Quais as publicações relacionadas aos protocolos de atendimentos as Urgências Psiquiátricas no atendimento pré-hospitalar?". Resultados: Foram construídos cinco protocolos que contemplam os seguintes procedimentos: atendimento as urgências psiquiátricas, agitação e situação de violência, contenção física, comportamento suicida e urgências envolvendo substancias psicoativas. Conclusão: acredita-se que a construção do procedimento operacional padrão possa ser utilizado como um recurso fundamental para que as equipes de atendimento pré-hospitalar consigam planejar e executar suas atividades com segurança.

Objective: to identify in the literature the knowledge produced about protocols for Psychiatric Urgencies in pre-hospital care. Method: Integrative review study carried out between February and April 2023 in the following databases: Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences; Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online; Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature; BASE; Web of Science and US National Library of Medicine and the websites of the State Health Departments of all Brazilian states, using combinations with the following Health Science Descriptors: Prehospital Care ; Protocols; Psychiatric Emergency Services, combined through the Boolean operator "AND" in six databases, aiming to answer the following question: "What are the publications related to the protocols of Psychiatric Urgencies in pre-hospital care?". Results: Five protocols were created, covering the following procedures: attendance to psychiatric emergencies, agitation and violent situations, physical restraint, suicidal behavior and emergencies involving psychoactive substances. Conclusion: it is believed that the construction of the standard operating procedure can be used as a fundamental resource for pre-hospital care teams to be able to plan and carry out their activities safely.

Propósito: identificar en la literatura el conocimiento producido sobre los protocolos de tratamiento a las Urgencias Psiquiátricas en atención prehospitalaria. Método: Estudio de revisión integrada realizado entre febrero y abril de 2023 en las siguientes bases de datos: Literatura Latinoamericana y Caribeña en Ciencias de la Salud; Sistema de Análisis y Recuperación de Literatura Médica en Línea; Índice Acumulativo de Literatura de Enfermería y Salud Aliada; EMBASE; Web of Science y Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina de los Estados Unidos y los sitios web de las Secretarías de Estado de Salud de todos los estados brasileños, utilizando combinaciones con los siguientes descriptores de Ciencias Médicas: Asistencia hospitalaria; Protocolos; Servicios de emergencia psiquiátrica, combinados por el operador booleano "AND" en seis bases de datos, con el objetivo de responder a la siguiente pregunta: "¿Qué publicaciones se relacionan con los protocolos de atención a emergencias psiquiátricas en atención prehospitalaria?". Resultados: Se construyeron cinco protocolos que cubren los siguientes procedimientos: atención a emergencias psiquiátricas, agitación y situación de violencia, confinamiento físico, comportamiento suicida y emergencias con sustancias psicoactivas. Conclusión: Se considera que la construcción del procedimiento operativo estándar puede utilizarse como recurso fundamental para que los equipos de atención prehospitalaria puedan planificar y llevar a cabo sus actividades de forma segura.

Insurance and inpatient admission of emergency department patients with depression in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the contribution of insurance on rates of inpatient admission for emergency department visits with depression diagnoses. METHODS: We identified 3,681,581 visits for depression in the National Emergency Department Sample (2007-2018). We classified them by concurrent injury, suicidal ideation, or neither. Payer categories were defined, non-exclusively, as Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, and no insurance. Logistic regression models, adjusted for age, year, and comorbidities, were used to describe differences in rates of inpatient admission by payer type, stratified by visit features. RESULTS: Rates of inpatient admission for visits with neither injury nor suicidal ideation (31.9%; 95%CI, 30.8-33.0) were lower than for visits with injury (37.9%; 95%CI, 36.7-39.1) or with suicidal ideation (39.7%; 95%CI, 37.3-42.1). Rates of admission were significantly lower for those without insurance (26.6%; 95%CI, 25.5-27.8) than for those with insurance (37.1%; 95%CI, 36.1-38.1). In adjusted models, insurance was associated with increased likelihood (OR = 1.81, 95%CI, 1.69-1.94) of admission. Insurance continued to be a significant predictor of admission among ED visits for depression with concurrent injury (OR = 1.39; 95%CI, 1.29-1.51). CONCLUSION: After controlling for demographic characteristics and medical comorbidities, patients with depression who have insurance are significantly more likely to be admitted to the hospital compared to those without insurance.

Psychiatric emergency units in Brazil: a cross-sectional study

SUMMARY OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the infrastructure (e.g., availability, resources, and staff), basic metrics, and problems (e.g., network, overcrowding, resources, and infrastructure) of the psychiatric emergency services in Brazil. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study assessing psychiatric services (n=29) listed by the Brazilian Psychiatric Association in 2019. RESULTS: Almost all the units reported 24 h/7-day availability having psychiatrists, nurses, and social workers, with 8.8 (SE=2.2) and 2.8 (SE=0.3) consultations and hospitalizations per day, respectively. Separated room for contention was reported by the minority of the services (38%). The most commonly reported problems were insufficient structure for child/adolescent care (83%), increasing patient demand (72%), housing referral for homeless (72%), excessive prescription demand (69%), short-term room overcrowding (59%), court orders for inpatient treatment (59%), lack of vacancies for inpatients hospitalization (59%), and referral to primary care (56%). CONCLUSIONS: Similar to the United States, the Brazilian psychiatric emergency units are decreasing and encompass the shortcomings of the Brazilian mental health care network.

Factors associated with a change in disposition for mental health patients boarding in an urban Paediatric emergency department.

AIM: Paediatric emergency departments (ED) nationwide experience a shared burden of boarding mental health patients. Whilst boarding, some patients have a change in disposition from hospitalization to discharge home. This phenomenon raises concern because EDs often have scarce resources for mental health patients. We sought to understand which patient and clinical factors are associated with a change in disposition outcome. METHODS: A nested age-sex-race frequency-matched case-control study was conducted including paediatric patients who presented to an urban PED for mental healthcare over a 36-month period. Control patients included patients admitted to an inpatient psychiatric facility, whilst case patients were those discharged home. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to compare groups. RESULTS: Case patients were more likely to receive intramuscular Haloperidol (OR 2.2 [CI 1.1-4.4]) for agitation and a psychiatric consult (OR 2.3 [1.4-3.9]) whilst boarding. Case patients were also more likely to present with behavioural concerns (OR 1.8 [CI 1.1-3.1]) and have additional complexities such as medical comorbidities (OR 1.8 [CI 1.1-2.9]) or suicidal ideation/attempt (OR 2.6 [CI 1.1-6.1]). Amongst the most common themes for disposition change was improved patient status (58.8%). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that boarding mental health patients have different disposition outcomes and thus may benefit from patient-specific treatment interventions. Given that patients' statuses may change during the boarding period prompting discharge to home, more focus should be directed to developing brief evidence-based practises that may be implemented in the ED and effectively bridge the gap to outpatient mental health services.

Psychosocial Profiles of Patients Admitted to Psychiatric Emergency Services: Results from the Signature Biobank Project.

OBJECTIVES: Patients admitted to psychiatric emergency services (PES) are highly heterogenous. New tools based on a transdiagnosis approach could help attending psychiatrists in their evaluation process and treatment planning. The goals of this study were to: (1) identify profiles of symptoms based on self-reported, dimensional outcomes in psychiatric patients upon their admission to PES, (2) link these profiles to developmental variables, that is, history of childhood abuse (CA) and trajectories of externalizing behaviours (EB), and (3) test whether this link between developmental variables and profiles was moderated by sex. METHODS: In total, 402 patients were randomly selected from the Signature Biobank, a database of measures collected from patients admitted to the emergency of a psychiatric hospital. A comparison group of 92 healthy participants was also recruited from the community. Symptoms of anxiety, depression, alcohol and drug abuse, impulsivity, and psychosis as well as CA and EB were assessed using self-reported questionnaires. Symptom profiles were identified using cluster analysis. Prediction of profile membership by sex, CA, and EB was tested using structural equation modelling. RESULTS: Among patients, four profiles were identified: (1) low level of symptoms on all outcomes, (2) high psychotic symptoms, (3) high anxio-depressive symptoms, and (4) elevated substance abuse and high levels of symptoms on all scales. An indirect effect of CA was found through EB trajectories: patients who experienced the most severe form of CA were more likely to develop chronic EB from childhood to adulthood, which in turn predicted membership to the most severe psychopathology profile. This indirect effect was not moderated by sex. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that a transdiagnostic approach allows to highlight distinct clinical portraits of patients admitted to PES. Importantly, developmental factors were predictive of specific profiles. Such transdiagnostic approach is a first step towards precision medicine, which could lead to develop targeted interventions.

Frequency, Prevalence, Interaction, and Gender Differences of Six Psychosocial Factors in Patients Presenting to a Psychiatric Emergency Service.

INTRODUCTION: The psychiatric emergency service (PES) has become an increasingly utilized patient care approach over the past 50 years. Psychosocial factors play an important role in PES utilization and disposition of patients in this environment. PES utilization in our region has increased 450% in the past 18 years, while the population has changed <1%. Our objective was to determine the frequency and relationship between six psychosocial factors in our patients, in comparison to the general population. METHODS: We completed a retrospective chart review of 160 patients selected at random who utilized the PES during 2009-2010. We looked for historical presence of a broken family, abuse or neglect, substance abuse, legal problems, violence, or incomplete education. We also looked at the relationship of these factors to race and gender. RESULTS: 75% had three or more of the factors measured. In our population, substance abuse and broken family were most prevalent. Females had significantly more abuse or neglect as compared to males, while male subjects had significantly more substance abuse and legal issues than females. The presence of a broken family was strongly associated with abuse or neglect, while violence was associated with incomplete education and legal issues. The prevalence of these factors in our patients was higher than the general population. CONCLUSION: The average patient presenting to the PES has multiple major psychosocial problems at higher frequencies than the general population. Understanding the relationship between multiple psychosocial factors and increasing PES utilization can direct us towards addressing the problems causing the increase in PES presentation. A planned future prospective study will examine the incidence of these psychosocial factors in patients presenting to the PES as compared to the general population.

Suicide and Self-Harm Outcomes Among Psychiatric Emergency Service Patients Diagnosed As Malingering.

BACKGROUND: Malingering is a common and challenging clinical presentation in emergency departments (EDs). OBJECTIVE: This study describes characteristics and outcomes among patients diagnosed as malingering in a psychiatric emergency service. METHODS: Index psychiatric ED encounters were identified for all adult patients seen during a 27-month period. Mortality data were obtained for patients from the state public health authority, and repeat ED visits for self-harm were obtained from the state hospital association. Patients with a diagnosis of malingering were compared with those without a malingering diagnosis using correlative statistics and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: Of 4710 encounters analyzed, 236 (5%) had a malingering diagnosis. No patients diagnosed as malingering died of suicide within 365 days of discharge, compared with 16 (0.4%) nonmalingering patients. Self-harm outcomes were available for 2689 encounters; 129 (5%) had a malingering diagnosis. Malingering was significantly associated with a repeat ED visit for self-harm within 365 days in multivariable analyses (adjusted odds ratio 2.52; 95% confidence interval 1.35-4.70); p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: No psychiatric emergency service patients diagnosed as malingering died by suicide after discharge. New clinical approaches must balance malingering patients' apparent low suicide risk with their other substantial comorbidities and risk for self-harm.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Psychiatric Emergency Service Volume and Hospital Admissions.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been an increasing number of emergency department visits for behavioral health reasons, even as overall emergency department volumes have decreased. The impact of the pandemic and related public health interventions on specialized psychiatric emergency services has not been described. These services provide high-intensity care for severely ill patients who are likely to be homeless and underserved. OBJECTIVE: We describe the change in total volume and psychiatric hospitalization rates among three psychiatric emergency services across the United States. METHODS: Changes in volumes and hospitalization were assessed for statistical significance using a seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average with exogenous factors model from January 2018 to December 2020. RESULTS: The pandemic's impact on volumes and hospitalization varied by site. In Denver (CO), there was a statistically significant 9% decrease in overall volumes, although an 18% increase in hospitalizations was not significant. In New York City (NY), there was a significant 7% decrease in volumes as well as a significant 6% decrease in hospitalizations. In Portland (OR), volumes decreased by 4% and hospitalizations increased by 6% although differences did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: There has been a decrease in volume at these services after the pandemic, but there are substantial variations in the magnitude of change and demand for hospitalization by region. These findings suggest a need to understand where patients in crisis are seeking care and how systems of care must adapt to changing utilization in the pandemic era.

Reduction in hospitalizations and emergency psychiatric care due to social distancing measures during the COVID-19 pandemic / Redução nas hospitalizações e atendimentos psiquiátricos de emergência devido a medidas de distanciamento social durante a pandemia de COVID-19

ABSTRACT Objetivo: Assess the impact of the lockdown measures on hospitalizations and emergency psychiatric care in a capital of a Brazilian state. Methods: Psychiatric hospitalizations and emergency psychiatric attendances carried out between January 7th and May 28th, 2020, were evaluated, covering the periods before and after lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic in the city of Fortaleza, capital of the state of Ceará, Brazil. The data in the two periods were described and presented in time series graphs. Attendances were also described according to the severity categories. Comparisons were performed using Mann-Whitney U test and test for proportions. Results: The daily average of hospitalizations and of attendances decreased in the evaluated periods from 16.0 to 10.8 (p < 0.001) and 67.9 to 35.0 (p < 0.001), respectively. This absolute reduction was observed in all categories of severity. No difference was observed in the proportion of severe attendances (2.3% vs. 2.8%; p = 0.207). The proportion of mild cases decreased from 18.6% to 10.7% (p < 0.001) and of intermediate severity cases increased from 79.1% to 86.5% (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The findings showed both a decrease in emergency psychiatric attendances and hospitalizations, which can lead to severe impacts in the absence of counterpart mitigation measures by the local mental health system.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto das medidas de distanciamento social em hospitalizações e atendimentos psiquiátricos de urgência em uma capital de estado brasileiro. Métodos: Foram avaliadas as internações e atendimentos psiquiátricos de urgência realizados entre 7 de janeiro e 28 de maio de 2020, abrangendo os períodos antes e após o lockdown em razão da pandemia de COVID-19 na cidade de Fortaleza, capital do estado do Ceará, Brasil. Os dados nos dois períodos foram descritos e apresentados em gráficos de séries temporais. Os atendimentos também foram descritos de acordo com as categorias de gravidade. As comparações foram realizadas pelo teste U de Mann-Whitney e o teste de hipóteses para proporções. Resultados: A média diária de internações e de atendimentos diminuiu nos períodos avaliados, de 16,0 para 10,8 (p < 0,001) e de 67,9 para 35,0 (p < 0,001), respectivamente. Tal redução absoluta foi observada em todas as categorias de gravidade. Não foi observada diferença na proporção de atendimentos graves (2,3% vs. 2,8%; p = 0,207). A proporção de casos leves diminuiu de 18,6% para 10,7% (p < 0,001) e a de gravidade intermediária aumentou de 79,1% para 86,5% (p < 0,001). Conclusões: Os resultados mostraram uma diminuição nos atendimentos psiquiátricos de urgência e nas hospitalizações, o que pode levar a impactos severos na ausência em contrapartida de medidas de mitigação pelo sistema de saúde mental local.

Idosos atendidos em um serviço de urgência e emergência psiquiátrica / Elderly people served in a psychiatric emergency and urgency service / Asistencia de personas de edad avanzada en un servicio psiquiátrico de emergencia

OBJETIVO: caracterizar os idosos atendidos em um Serviço de Urgência e Emergência Psiquiátrica quanto ao perfil sociodemográfico, diagnóstico psiquiátrico, prescrição de medicamentos e conduta médica e avaliar suas associações com o sexo. MÉTODO: estudo transversal, quantitativo, em que os dados foram obtidos a partir dos prontuários de pacientes atendidos no referido serviço, entre julho/2015 e junho/2016. A variável independente foi o sexo e as dependentes foram: idade; procedência; informante; tratamento psiquiátrico anterior; diagnóstico; medicamentos prescritos e conduta. RESULTADOS: nos 152 prontuários analisados, observam-se idade prevalente entre 60 a 69 anos, maioria de mulheres, procedência do município local e comparecimento com acompanhante. Os diagnósticos prevalentes são a esquizofrenia e os transtornos mentais e comportamentais decorrentes do uso de substâncias psicoativas. As medicações prescritas com maior frequência são da classe dos antipsicóticos e anti-histamínicos, seguidas dos ansiolíticos/sedativos. O critério de Beers considera a prescrição de medicamentos do grupo dos benzodiazepínicos, antipsicóticos e anti-histamínicos inapropriada para idosos. A principal conduta foi a alta, sem encaminhamento a outro serviço. CONCLUSÃO: embora haja incentivo do Ministério da Saúde, com a criação de novas políticas de saúde mental, muitos profissionais mantêm o modelo de atendimento baseado na queixa e conduta, dificultando a reabilitação psicossocial dos pacientes.

OBJECTIVE: characterize the elderly treated in a Psychiatric Emergency and Urgency Service regarding their sociodemographic profile, psychiatric diagnosis, prescription of medication and medical conduct and evaluate their associations with sex. METHOD: a cross-sectional, quantitative study in which data was obtained from the medical records of patients seen in the referred service, between July/2015 and June/2016. The independent variable was gender and dependents were: age; origin; informant; previous psychiatric treatment; diagnosis; prescribed drugs and conduct. RESULTS: in the 152 medical records analyzed, the prevailing age is between 60 and 69 years old, most of them women, coming from the local municipality and attending with a companion. The prevalent diagnoses are schizophrenia and mental and behavioral disorders resulting from the use of psychoactive substances. The most frequently prescribed medications are in the class of antipsychotics and antihistamines, followed by anxiolytics/sedatives. Beers' criteria consider the prescription of benzodiazepine, antipsychotic and antihistamine medications inappropriate for the elderly. The main conduct was discharge, without referral to another service. CONCLUSION: although there is encouragement from the Ministry of Health, with the creation of new mental health policies, many professionals maintain the model of care based on complaint and conduct, hindering the psychosocial rehabilitation of patients.

OBJETIVO: caracterizar a los ancianos atendidos en un servicio psiquiátrico de emergencia y urgencia en relación con el perfil sociodemográfico, el diagnóstico psiquiátrico, la prescripción de medicamentos y la conducta médica; y evaluar sus asociaciones con el sexo. MÉTODO: un estudio cuantitativo y transversal en el que se obtuvieron datos de los registros médicos de los pacientes tratados en el citado servicio, del 2015 al 2016 de julio. La variable independiente era el sexo y los dependientes eran: edad, procedencia, informante, tratamiento psiquiátrico previo, diagnóstico, medicamentos recetados y conducta. RESULTADOS: de los 152 registros médicos analizados, se observa que: la edad predominante es de 60 a 69 años, la mayoría de ellos son mujeres, desde el municipio local y atendido a la atención de un acompañante. Los diagnósticos prevalentes son la esquizofrenia y los trastornos mentales y conductuales resultantes del uso de sustancias psicoactivas. Los medicamentos recetados con mayor frecuencia son la clase antipsicótica y anti-histamina, seguida de ansiolíticos/sedantes. El criterio de Beers considera que la prescripción de fármacos del grupo de benzodiazepinas, antipsicóticos y antihistaminas, es inadecuada para los ancianos. La conducta principal era alta, sin remisión a otro servicio. CONCLUSIÓN: aunque hay aliento del Ministerio de salud con la creación de nuevas políticas de salud mental, muchos profesionales mantienen el modelo de cuidado basado en la queja y la conducta, obstaculizando la rehabilitación psicosocial de los pacientes.