Urgent adolescent psychiatric consultation: from the accident and emergency department to inpatient adolescent psychiatry

J Adolesc. 2003 Jun;26(3):283-93. doi: 10.1016/s0140-1971(03)00014-9.

Abstract

The Rapid Response Model (RRM) provides psychiatric services to children and adolescents seen at the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department or at the Urgent Consultation Clinic of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Division the next day. In a naturally occurring experiment, the RRM was introduced, withdrawn and restarted. When RRM was withdrawn at one site, it was implemented at another. The RRM reduced nighttime Emergency Consultations and inpatient admissions from A&E, while it increased daytime consultations and daytime admissions. The RRM provided timely, organized emergency psychiatric services. A&E staff expressed satisfaction with the service.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Psychiatry / statistics & numerical data*
  • Ambulatory Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Canada
  • Child
  • Community Mental Health Services / organization & administration
  • Emergencies
  • Emergency Services, Psychiatric / organization & administration*
  • Emergency Services, Psychiatric / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Patient Admission / statistics & numerical data
  • Referral and Consultation / organization & administration*
  • Time Factors