Articles: emergency-services.
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Observational Study
Profile and Outcomes of Emergency Department Mental Health Patient Presentations Based on Arrival Mode: A State-Wide Retrospective Cohort Study.
People arriving to the emergency department with mental health problems experience varying and sometimes inferior outcomes compared with people without mental health problems, yet little is known about whether or how their arrival mode is associated with these outcomes. This study describes and compares demographics, clinical characteristics, and patient and health service outcomes of adult mental health emergency department patient presentations, based on arrival mode: brought in by ambulance, privately arranged transport, and brought in by police. ⋯ Discrepancies between arrival modes indicates a need for further investigation to support inter- and intra-agency mental health care interventions.
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Older adults visit emergency departments (EDs) at higher rates than their younger counterparts. However, less is known about the rate at which older adults living with dementia visit and revisit EDs. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify the revisit rate to the ED among older adults living with a dementia diagnosis. ⋯ Existing literature on ED revisits among older adults living with dementia highlights the medical complexities and challenges surrounding discharge and follow-up care that may cause these patients to seek ED care at an increased rate. ED personnel may play an important role in connecting patients and caregivers to more appropriate medical and social resources in order to deliver an efficient and more rounded approach to care.
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To describe the epidemiological factors of mental health presentations in young people to emergency medical services (EMS) and define those experiencing acute severe behavioral disturbance by reviewing parenteral sedation use. ⋯ Mental health conditions were a common presentation to EMS. A history of autism spectrum disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, or an intellectual disability increased the odds of receiving parenteral sedation for acute severe behavioral disturbance. Sedation appears generally safe in the out-of-hospital setting.