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Emergency department utilization for mental health conditions before and after the COVID-19 outbreak.
Stroever, Stephanie; Brett, Chelsea; Michael, Katherine; Petrini, Joann.
  • Stroever S; Department of Innovation and Research, Nuvance Health, Danbury, CT, United States of America. Electronic address: stephanie.stroever@nuvancehealth.org.
  • Brett C; Department of Innovation and Research, Nuvance Health, Danbury, CT, United States of America.
  • Michael K; Department of Psychiatry, Nuvance Health, Danbury, CT, United States of America.
  • Petrini J; Department of Innovation and Research, Nuvance Health, Danbury, CT, United States of America.
Am J Emerg Med ; 47: 164-168, 2021 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1163279
ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION:

The outbreak of COVID-19 disrupted lives across the United States. Evidence shows that such a climate is deleterious to mental health and may increase demand for mental health services in emergency departments. The purpose of this study was to determine the difference in emergency department utilization for mental health diagnoses before and after the COVID-19 surge.

METHODS:

We conducted a cross-sectional study between January-August 2019 and January-August 2020 with emergency department encounter as the sampling unit. The primary outcome was the proportion of all emergency department encounters attributed to mental health. We performed chi-square analyses to evaluate the differences between 2019 and 2020.

RESULTS:

We found that overall emergency department volume declined between 2019 and 2020, while the proportion attributable to mental health conditions increased (p < 0.01). Substance abuse, anxiety, and mood disorders accounted for nearly 90% of mental health diagnoses during both periods. When stratified by sex, substance abuse was the leading mental health diagnosis for males and anxiety and substance abuse disorders combined accounted for the largest proportion for females.

DISCUSSION:

The emergency department is an important community resource for the identification and triage of mental health emergencies. This role is even more important during disasters and extended crises, making it imperative that emergency departments employ experienced mental health staff. This study provides a comparison of emergency department utilization for mental health diagnoses before the pandemic and during the spring 2020 surge and may serve as a useful guide for hospitals, health systems and communities in future planning.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Emergency Service, Hospital / COVID-19 / Mental Disorders Type of study: Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adult / Aged / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: Am J Emerg Med Year: 2021 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Emergency Service, Hospital / COVID-19 / Mental Disorders Type of study: Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adult / Aged / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: Am J Emerg Med Year: 2021 Document Type: Article