Exploring the factors associated with non-urgent emergency department utilisation for mental health care

Abstract

Background Emergency department visits for mental health care are on the rise across North America. Patients with mental illness are at an increased risk for frequent and non-urgent emergency department visitation. Aims The purpose of this study was to examine the independent predictors of non-urgent emergency department use for mental health care. Methods A secondary data analysis was conducted with archived data provided by the Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network in Ontario. Results A total of 13,114 mental health-related emergency department visits were analysed using logistic regression with generalised estimating equations modelling. The findings suggest the following characteristics are predictive of non-urgent emergency department use for mental health care: age, season, time of day, access to primary health care, mode of arrival, hospital type, referral source and patient diagnosis. Conclusions The findings of this study can be utilised to assist clinicians and policy makers in identifying and managing patients using the emergency department for non-urgent mental health care.