Characteristics of individuals with severe mental illness who use emergency services.
Emergency services are both a safety net and a locus for acute treatment. While the population with severe, persistent mental illness uses emergency services at a high rate, few studies have systematically examined the causes of this service use. This study examines a random sample of 179 people who were high uti- lizers of services from the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. Interviews were conducted and 5 years of service use data were studied. Greater use of emergency services was associated with male gender, minority race, severe illness, homelessness, and less family support. Efforts to reduce emergency services need to improve access to appropriate community services, particularly for people who are homeless or lack family support.
Department of Veterans Affairs Desert Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Alexander S
AS
Young
Matthew J
MJ
Chinman
Julie A
JA
Cradock-O'Leary
Greer
G
Sullivan
Dennis
D
Murata
Jim
J
Mintz
Paul
P
Koegel
D000328:Adult; D002140:California; D015897:Comorbidity; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D006300:Health Services Misuse / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data