Evaluation of an emergency response service

Abstract

Aims and Method An emergency response service (ERS) was introduced to streamline the assessment of individuals presenting in a crisis in one sector of a large provincial city. Data on service activity, clinical details and outcome were recorded on consecutive referrals to the service over the first 6 months of operation, and all patients were offered the opportunity to complete the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire. Results Seventy-five per cent of those referred accepted the offer of assessment, and the majority were seen in their own home within 2 hours. One in ten individuals were not offered any further mental health input and 17% were hospitalised. The number of admissions via primary care fell by 60% after the introduction of this service. However, at its peak of activity the service received an average of only two referrals per day and three each weekend. Only 30% of referrals were received outside of normal office hours. Service users and general practitioners were found to be more satisfied with the service than the staff that provided it. Clinical Implications The introduction of the ERS led to a faster, more consistent process of assessment of crisis referrals and assessment undertakings in the community, and appeared to increase the use of alternative treatments for individuals in crisis before resorting to admission. Funding opportunities are restricted for the development of crisis services. The development of emergency response services for the use of current staff from a number of community mental health teams is an option worth considering.

Integrating Motivational Interviewing and Self-Determination Theory With Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Prevent Suicide

“…For our sample, the mean (SD) was 3.45 (.46), indicating our clients were mostly to very satisfied with the intervention. Although the study did not include a control group, a study using the CSQ-14 in a Psychiatric Emergency Department produced a mean of 3.08 (SD not available) (Tacchi, Joseph, & Scott, 2003). The studies are not directly comparable due to the use of different versions of the CSQ, but our findings suggest that clients were satisfied MI-SI.…”