title: Delayed Access to Involuntary Mental Health Examinations.
abstract: Delayed access to involuntary mental health examination for people who receive care in emergency departments (EDs) was examined, and factors that influenced delayed access were explored. A retrospective review of records for the 12 months prior to data collection was conducted to address the study questions. The health services utilization model served as the conceptual framework for this study. Societal, system, and individual factors were considered in examining access to involuntary emergency mental health examination by adult ED patients. Records of 170 people who sought care in EDs and who required involuntary mental health examinations at two hospitals in Florida served as the sources for study data. The mean duration of delay was 14.9 h. The determinants that were significantly associated with longer delays were being male, increased age, and intoxication. The findings can inform the allocation of resources to increase opportunities for positive long-term outcomes following involuntary care.
authors.affiliation: Florida Community Health Action Information Network (CHAIN), Coconut Creek, FL, USA. laura@floridachain.org.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brennaman
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
authors.forename: Blake
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Boursaw
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health Law & Policy de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute College of Behavioral and Community, Sciences University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Christy
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meize-Growchowski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Emergency Mental Health; Honest Broker; Mental Health; Mental Health Service; Safe Transfer