[Referral of drug addicts "in crisis" seen in the emergency room].
This survey was conducted to estimate the number of drug addicts seen in emergency care units in the Paris hospitals for a drug-related crisis and to analyze subsequent dispatching decisions made over a 14-day period. Twelve polyvalent emergency units participated in the study. These units cared for 116 drug abusers in a crisis situation during the 14-day study period. After initial assessment, the emergency care physician proposed a transfer center in 74% of the cases. Proposed referral centers included: an ECIMUD (Coordination and medical care team for drug addicts) for 27% of the patients, a psychiatric outpatient clinic for 33%, a CSST (Specialized center for drug abusers) for 2% and hospitalization for 11%. After a second assessment by a psychiatrist or an ECIMUD physician, 53% of the patients with a second assessment were referred to an ECIMUD, 32% to a psychiatric outpatient clinic, and 6% to a CSST; 26% were hospitalized. This survey points out the eminent role of psychiatric outpatient clinics and ECIMUD teams in providing emergency care for drug abusers.
Acquaviva
E
E
Direction de la Politique Médicale, Mission SIDA-Addictions, AP-HP, 3, avenue Victoria, 75100 Paris RP.
Beaujouan
L
L
Sainte-Marie
T
T
Chieze
F
F
D000328:Adult; D003419:Crisis Intervention / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010297:Paris / Q000453:epidemiology; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D017749:Total Quality Management