The volume of mental health patients in Covenant’s ER is overwhelming, Dr. Ellis said.
“We are absolutely overwhelmed. We’re overwhelmed as a staff. We’re overwhelmed as a department. We’re overwhelmed as a hospital. And the entire region is just completely overwhelmed,” Dr. Ellis told KWWL.
Dr. Ellis attributes the problem to a lack of community resources addressing mental health, forcing patients into the ER. However, he also notes some patients can be violent, which poses a problem for ER facilities that are not equipped to handle these patients.
More articles on hospital-physician relationships:
Renowned pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu resigns as chief medical examiner, alleges sheriff ordered hands cut off corpses
Leading House Democrat calls for Congressional hearing on CVS-Aetna deal
Maine system to cut about 24 jobs in Bangor due to billing move: 4 things to know
