Effect of a Virtual Patient Navigation Program on Behavioral Health Admissions in the Emergency Department: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

The number of patients presenting to emergency departments (EDs) for psychiatric care continues to increase. Psychiatrists often make a conservative recommendation to admit patients because robust outpatient services for close follow-up are lacking.

Objective

To assess whether the availability of a 45-day behavioral health-virtual patient navigation program decreases hospitalization among patients presenting to the ED with a behavioral health crisis or need.

Design, setting, and participants

This randomized clinical trial enrolled 637 patients who presented to 6 EDs spanning urban and suburban locations within a large integrated health care system in North Carolina from June 12, 2017, through February 14, 2018; patients were followed up for up to 45 days. E

SUBMITTER: Roberge J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6991284 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature