@article{ref1,
title="Improving quality of emergency care through integration of mental health",
journal="Community mental health journal",
year="2015",
author="Okafor, Martha and Wrenn, Glenda and Ede, Victor and Wilson, Nana and Custer, William and Risby, Emile and Claeys, Michael and Shelp, Frank E. and Atallah, Hany and Mattox, Gail and Satcher, David",
volume="52",
number="3",
pages="332-342",
abstract="The goal of this study was to better integrate emergency medical and psychiatric care at a large urban public hospital, identify impact on quality improvement metrics, and reduce healthcare cost. A psychiatric fast track service was implemented as a quality improvement initiative. Data on disposition from the emergency department from January 2011 to May 2012 for patients impacted by the pilot were analyzed. 4329 patients from January 2011 to August 2011 (pre-intervention) were compared with 4867 patients from September 2011 to May 2012 (intervention). There was a trend of decline on overall quality metrics of time to triage and time from disposition to discharge. The trend analysis of the psychiatric length of stay and use of restraints showed significant reductions. Integrated emergency care models are evidence-based approach to ensuring that patients with mental health needs receive proper and efficient treatment. <br><br>RESULTS suggest that this may also improve overall emergency department's throughput.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0010-3853",
doi="10.1007/s10597-015-9978-x",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10597-015-9978-x"
}