title: Emergency Department Visits by Older Adults with Mental Illness in North Carolina.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We analyzed emergency department (ED) visits by patients with mental health disorders (MHDs) in North Carolina from 2008-2010 to determine frequencies and characteristics of ED visits by older adults with MHDs.
  
  
  METHODS
  We extracted ED visit data from the North Carolina Disease Event Tracking and Epidemiologic Collection Tool (NC DETECT). We defined mental health visits as visits with a mental health ICD-9-CM diagnostic code, and organized MHDs into clinically similar groups for analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Those ≥65 with MHDs accounted for 27.3% of all MHD ED visits, and 51.2% were admitted. The most common MHD diagnoses for this age group were psychosis, and stress/anxiety/depression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Older adults with MHDs account for over one-quarter of ED patients with MHDs, and their numbers will continue to increase as the "boomer" population ages. We must anticipate and prepare for the MHD-related needs of the elderly.
authors.affiliation: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, Raleigh, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Anne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hakenewerth
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Emergency Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Judith E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Tintinalli
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carolina Center for Health Informatics, Department of Emergency Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Anna E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Waller
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carolina Center for Health Informatics, Department of Emergency Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ising
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology