Healthcare experts agree EDs are not the appropriate place for mentally ill patients, especially if they are in the middle of a psychiatric crisis. Still, 70 percent of ED administrators say they hold mentally ill patients for at least 24 hours, according to Schumacher Group survey. As a result, ED administrators report long delays in patient care, long wait times and ED overcrowding, according to the NPR news report. What’s more, the National Alliance on Mental Illness reported 32 states have made cuts to their mental health budgets since 2009, leaving mentally ill patients with little choice but to move from low-funded outpatient service facilities to hospital EDs.
Industry experts also predict the new healthcare reform law, in conjunction with the shortage of primary care providers, may lead to even more hospital EDs overcrowding. Under healthcare reform, 32 million uninsured Americans are expected to obtain coverage by 2014.
Healthcare industry leaders, including Craig Stenning, head of Rhode Island’s mental health department, are working to ease the burden on hospital EDs. Within the next six months, Mr. Stenning hopes to launch an online program that allows hospital to track mentally ill patients who are waiting for beds across the state in real time. Additionally, Mr. Stenning is adding more beds to nonhospital settings, including Butler Hospital in Providence, R.I., the largest psychiatric hospital in the state, according to the news report.
Read the news report about hospital EDs.
Read other coverage about hospital EDs:
– New Jersey Hospitals Advertise Wait Times to Draw Patients
– North Carolina Bill Would Bar ED Patients From Recovering Damages
– Judge Approves NorthShore-LIJ’s Plan to Open Emergency Center at Shuttered St. Vincent’s
