New! Sign up for our free email newsletter.
Science News
from research organizations

Pediatric emergency department visits for psychiatric care on the rise

Date:
October 18, 2011
Source:
American Academy of Pediatrics
Summary:
Pediatric patients, primarily those who are underinsured (either without insurance or receiving Medicaid), are increasingly receiving psychiatric care in hospital emergency departments, according to new research.
Share:
FULL STORY

Pediatric patients, primarily those who are underinsured (either without insurance or receiving Medicaid), are increasingly receiving psychiatric care in hospital emergency departments (EDs), according to an abstract presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in Boston.

Researchers reviewed ED data, including patient age, sex, race, ethnicity, insurance status, and type of care received, from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, between 1999 through 2007. The study, "Disproportionately Increasing Psychiatric Visits to the Pediatric Emergency Department Among the Underinsured," found that over eight years, 279 million pediatric patients were seen in U.S. EDs, of which 2.8 percent were for psychiatric visits. The prevalence of psychiatric visits among pediatric patients increased from 2.4 percent in 1999 to 3 percent in 2007. The underinsured group initially accounted for 46 percent of pediatric ED visits in 1999, growing to 54 percent in 2007.

The results of this study are important for several reasons. First, the data show that, as anticipated, psychiatric visits by children to emergency departments continue to increase in number and as a percentage of all patients being seen in emergency departments, said lead study author Zachary Pittsenbarger, MD. "A second, and more novel finding, is that one group in particular is increasing beyond any other socio-demographic group, and that is the publicly insured." he said.

"It has been found previously that the publicly insured have fewer treatment options and longer wait times for psychiatric disorders when not hospitalized," Dr. Pittsenbarger said. "This new finding argues that limited outpatient mental health resources force those patients to seek the care they need in the emergency department."


Story Source:

Materials provided by American Academy of Pediatrics. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Cite This Page:

American Academy of Pediatrics. "Pediatric emergency department visits for psychiatric care on the rise." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 18 October 2011. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111014080522.htm>.
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2011, October 18). Pediatric emergency department visits for psychiatric care on the rise. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111014080522.htm
American Academy of Pediatrics. "Pediatric emergency department visits for psychiatric care on the rise." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111014080522.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

Explore More

from ScienceDaily

RELATED STORIES