'Triage center' takes pressure off EDs.
Behavioral health care is a major concern for EDs. Lee Memorial Health System helped relieve the ED burden with a shelter for homeless and uninsured individuals. A former director of emergency services provided ED-specific input into the planning process. A contracted nurse with ED experience provides the initial assessment of patients referred to the shelter. System EDs now have a referral option for patients with behavioral health issues and no longer have to discharge them "onto the street".
D001526:Behavioral Symptoms / Q000175:diagnosis; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration; D014218:Triage / Q000458:organization & administration*