Mental health liaison nursing in the emergency department: on-site expertise and enhanced coordination of care.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the Mental Health Liaison Nurse (MHLN) service based in the emergency department (ED) of a large, inner city teaching hospital in Sydney, Australia.


METHODS
Data were gathered over the first two years of the position. Information is presented regarding the length of time that patients waited to be seen by the MHLN. Results from two rounds of surveys conducted with ED nursing and medical staff are tabulated.


RESULTS
Data obtained from the Emergency Department Information System (EDIS) demonstrates that the Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MHNP) is able to see a majority of patients at, or close to, the point of triage. These findings are reinforced by ED staff who rate highly the readily available access to mental health assessment and enhanced coordination of care. The strong clinical focus of the role is acknowledged by the ED staff who perceive that patients are better supported therapeutically and spend less time waiting in the department due to MHLN intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
This evaluation suggests that the MHLN role has significant benefit for patients presenting to the ED by reducing waiting times, streamlining transition through the department and improving follow-up. The MHLN is highly regarded by the staff as an on-site source of clinical expertise. The information obtained supports the established model and will be used to guide the direction of the service.
Wand
Timothy
T
Emergency Department, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004637:Emergency Services, Psychiatric / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009517:New South Wales; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014850:Waiting Lists