Psychiatric Cases in Prehospital Emergency Medical Care in Espírito Santo State, Brazil

doi:10.33513/mest/2001-02

Abstract

Highlights

Pre-hospital emergency care for psychiatric acute events embraces challenging situations, and health care professionals must be aware of the increasing incidence of psychiatric disorders
In Brazil, this type of treatment is regularly performed in the public health system by the Urgency Mobile Assistance Service, with permanent response teams composed of ambulance based units, such as Basic Support Units (BSU), and Advanced Support Units (ASU), as well as motorcycle and aero medical units [5]
This study aimed to identify medical occurrences for psychiatric cases from SAMU in Espírito Santo State, Brazil, describing clinical features, treatments offered and outcomes, and classifying the types and severity of psychiatric disorders

Summary

Introduction

Pre-hospital emergency care for psychiatric acute events embraces challenging situations, and health care professionals must be aware of the increasing incidence of psychiatric disorders. This study aimed to identify medical occurrences due to psychiatric cases assisted by the Urgent Mobile Assistance Service in Espírito Santo state, Brazil, describing clinical features and treatments offered, and classifying the type and severity of psychiatric disorder. After the Brazilian Psychiatric Reform-a political and social movement that aimed to guarantee appropriate treatment to mentally ill patients through use of alternative services to the psychiatric hospital and avoiding the long term internment and social isolation - mental health care required changes to become more respectful and humanized. The lack of knowledge toward psychiatric patients and disorders from the emergency care staff may become a propulsive element for unnecessary actions, such as physical or chemical restraints

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion