Emergency Department Pediatric Mental and Behavioral Health Patients Transported by Emergency Medical Services and Police: Trends and Interventions

Objective

We aimed to understand transport utilization trends, demographics, emergency department (ED) interventions, and outcomes of pediatric mental and behavioral health (MBH) patients transported by emergency medical services (EMS), police, or self-transported.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study utilized electronic health record data from patients aged 5 to 18 years presenting with acute MBH conditions at 2 affiliated pediatric EDs from January 2012 to December 2020. Data included demographics, ED interventions for aggression/agitation, Brief Rating of Aggression by Children and Adolescents (BRACHA) scores, and ED dispositions. Descriptive statistics and comparative analyses were conducted using chi-square, Wilcoxon rank sum tests, and multivariable logistic regression. Linear regression analyzed trends.

Results

Of 440,302 ED encounters, 70,557 (16%) were for acute MBH concerns, with 14.6% transported by EMS and 5.9% by police. The proportion of MBH visits increased from 9.9% in 2012 to 19.8% in 2020 (95% (confidence interval) CI [0.7, 1.7], P = 0.0009), with a concurrent 0.4% annual increase in those transported by EMS (95% CI [0.2, 0.6], P = 0.006). MBH patients transported by EMS and police had significantly higher odds of requiring restraint in the ED and were more likely to have higher BRACHA scores and to be admitted compared to self-transported patients (all comparisons, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Pediatric MBH ED visits and EMS utilization are increasing. MBH patients transported by EMS and police may represent a more aggressive ED population. Given the rising encounters within this high-risk population, our EDs, EMS, and police need support and resources for safe pediatric MBH patient management.