Alternative Models of Emergency Psychiatric Care: Regional Emergency Psychiatric Facilities, Freestanding Emergency Departments, and Urgent Care Centers

Abstract

A variety of different models are now available for the treatment of patients experiencing psychiatric emergencies. In some areas, there are regional psychiatric emergency facilities. In most areas, there are freestanding emergency departments (ED) and/or urgent care centers. Regional psychiatric facilities have features in common with other psychiatric emergency services that have been discussed. There is less evidence regarding the psychiatric patient in freestanding emergency departments and urgent care centers. Some unique benefits and challenges should be considered when utilizing these facilities. Freestanding EDs and urgent care centers can function in more remote locations than traditional EDs; therefore, they extend the reach and impact of the medical establishment to more secluded populations and provide more opportunities for treating individuals who would otherwise have limited access to treatment facilities. Regional psychiatric emergency facilities will have psychiatrists available; however, the presence of specialized psychiatric care is less likely in freestanding EDs and urgent care centers. The increased use of telemedicine has made specialty care available to remote locations and, when used, can bring the expertise of psychiatric specialists to EDs and urgent care centers not physically staffed by mental health providers.