The Particulars: Anecdotal evidence suggests that seasonal patterns may affect how psychiatric patients utilize the ED. Few clinical studies have explored the prevalence of seasonal presentations involving psychiatric illness in the ED setting.

Data Breakdown: In a study, investigators divided data on ED presentations involving mental diagnoses by season  and formed a baseline rate for diagnoses that was used to compare with individual seasons.…

The Particulars: Previous studies have been inconclusive on whether racial differences exist in the prevalence of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It has been hypothesized that the healthcare setting where patients get treated may account for these discrepancies.

Data Breakdown: Researchers investigated racial differences in the prevalence of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder among patients presenting to EDs in Maryland and California.…

The Particulars: Patients can be discharged from psychiatric EDs with either prescheduled aftercare or dismissed without such instructions. Little is known about the differences in follow-up compliance with outpatient providers among these patients.

Data Breakdown: For a study, cognitively intact patients discharged from a psychiatric ED were randomized to either prescheduled outpatient follow-up care or no such care.…

The Particulars: Previous research indicates that frequent users of the ED, or “frequent flyers,” pose significant challenges to providers and have more psychiatric, psychosocial, and substance abuse issues than the general population. Less is known about this population’s demographics, most common presenting diagnosis, and emergency services use patterns.…