Boarding Behavioral Health Patients: Unique Risks Prompt Creative Solutions

A significant and ongoing concern for healthcare organizations is the management of behavioral health patients in emergency departments (EDs). The convergence of multiple factors has exacerbated this problem, including the opioid crisis, an uptick in suicide attempts, mental health workforce shortages, and dwindling behavioral health services. As a result, EDs have become a safety net for many individuals who experience mental health or substance abuse episodes or crises, which has cascaded into problems associated with overcrowding, lack of appropriate treatment, and potential violence. This program reviews the concept of boarding behavioral health patients in the ED and its impact on patients, departments, providers, and staff. Risk mitigation strategies and recommended solutions presented in this program include culture changes, trauma-informed care, process improvement, and workforce development.

Complete Program

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