The growing demand for psychiatric and behavioral health services in the ED
The growing demand for psychiatric and behavioral health services is straining emergency departments nationwide. A critical shortage of psychiatrists, limited access to outpatient services, and rising addiction rates have converged to create a perfect storm—placing immense pressure on hospitals to fill these gaps.
This year alone, more than 6 million patients will seek care in the ED for mental health or substance use concerns. The impact is significant: patients face long boarding times, unnecessary admissions, and delayed care, while hospitals grapple with operational strain and rising costs.
How TelePsychiatry supports EDs
TelePsychiatry offers a proven solution to address the need for faster assessments, treatment, and disposition planning for psychiatric and behavioral health patients with acute needs.
By seamlessly integrating board-certified psychiatrists into existing ED workflows, hospitals can deliver timely, expert psychiatric care—improving patient outcomes and optimizing patient flow through the emergency department.
Considering an ED TelePsychiatry program?
If your hospital or health system is evaluating ED TelePsychiatry in the year ahead, download the guide to learn:
- The clinical and financial benefits of TelePsychiatry in the emergency department
- Questions to ask in a needs assessment
- Considerations for choosing a TelePsychiatry partner
- Key outcomes from ED TelePsychiatry
