Publication:

Characteristics of adolescents with mental health emergencies requiring inpatient psychiatric hospitalization

Background Pediatric psychiatric crisis was pushed to the forefront during the COVID-19-pandemic. Emergency departments (ED) and inpatient pediatric hospitals saw much higher volumes of mental health complaints, with many patients staying in these places until definitive care was available. The study objective was to evaluate pediatric psychiatric emergency visits and hospital admissions before and during the pandemic and identify the high-risk features of the patients requiring inpatient psychiatric hospitalization.

Methods Retrospective chart review of ED and inpatient visits conducted from 3/1/2010-2/29/2022 of adolescents aged 13-18-years with a range of psychiatric diagnoses. Part I included data collection prior to the first case of COVID-19 in Michigan (3/1/2010-3/9/2020), and part II included data collection after the first case (3/10/2020-2/28/2022). Charts of patients needing inpatient psychiatric admissions during the pandemic were reviewed for factors affecting mental health.

Results Retrospective chart review of ED and inpatient visits conducted from 3/1/2010-2/29/2022 of adolescents aged 13-18-years with a range of psychiatric diagnoses. Part I included data collection prior to the first case of COVID-19 in Michigan (3/1/2010-3/9/2020), and part II included data collection after the first case (3/10/2020-2/28/2022). Charts of patients needing inpatient psychiatric admissions during the pandemic were reviewed for factors affecting mental health.

Conclusions Decreased prescribed medication use and inconsistent therapy appointments were seen in adolescents requiring inpatient psychiatric hospitalization. Identifying the gaps in care presents an opportunity for reducing the need for inpatient psychiatric care.