Evaluating Emergency Department Utilization for Mobile Mental Health Patients: A Correlational Retrospective Analysis

Patients who have barriers to attending traditional mental health clinics are at risk for psychiatric decompensation, which can lead to inappropriate utilization of emergency departments (EDs). Mobile health clinics have the potential to reduce avoidable ED visits by providing easily accessible care.

To determine whether psychiatric patients have a significant reduction in ED visits after admission to the mobile mental health clinic (MMHC).

This study is a replication of a pilot study on the first 43 patients admitted to the MMHC that was conducted soon after the opening. Results of that study were promising. In the current study, health records from a sample of 265 patients from the MMHC were reviewed retrospectively to determine the number of ED visits post admission to the MMHC. ED visits were examined 8 months prior to admission to the MMHC and 8 months after. Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests were used to analyze demographics and determine differences in ED visits pre- and post admission to the MMHC.

Findings demonstrated that patients admitted to the MMHC had a significant reduction (p < .05) in ED utilization. There was also a decrease in mean ED visits in patients who received combined treatment, which included medication management and counseling.

The MMHC is an effective initiative to reduce ED overutilization, thereby decreasing Medicaid costs. Psychiatric care provided directly in the home can promote health and prevent destabilization.