The majority of youths who used emergency department services are discharged to the home (84.2%); however, the rate of hospital admissions from the ED has increased between 2006 and 2010. The three most common reasons for a mental health ED visit were for mood disorder (30.4%), conduct disorder (14.1%), and anxiety disorder (12.4%). Median length of stay for inpatient stays has remained stable at 5 days. Patterns of Psychotropic Medication Use For children prescribed a psychotropic medication, the most commonly prescribed medications were stimulants (74%), antipsychotics (31.3%), antidepressants (28.7%), and alpha-agonists (26.6%). Between 2006 and 2010, the use of alpha-agonists, anxiolytics, and stimulants increased. All other drug classes decreased. In 2010, slightly trial one-fifth of youth (18.4%) were prescribed 3 drugs ≥ concomitantly, 8% were prescribed 4, and 3.5% were prescribed 5 drugs. ≥ ≥ Between 2006 and 2010, there has been a significant increase in the use of 5 drugs ≥ concomitantly. Profile of Youth with Serious Emotional Disturbances The majority of youths who received mental health services were male (57%), white (71%), and eligible for Medicaid through CFC (87.4%). Of the youth aged 0 to 18 who received mental health services, 46.4% had either a disruptive behavior disorder or adjustment disorder. Conclusions and Policy Implications
The majority of youths who used emergency department services are discharged to the home (84.2%); however, the rate of hospital admissions from the ED has increased between 2006 and 2010. The three most common reasons for a mental health ED visit were for mood disorder (30.4%), conduct disorder (14.1%), and anxiety disorder (12.4%). Median length of stay for inpatient stays has remained stable at 5 days. Patterns of Psychotropic Medication Use For children prescribed a psychotropic medication, the most commonly prescribed medications were stimulants (74%), antipsychotics (31.3%), antidepressants (28.7%), and alpha-agonists (26.6%). Between 2006 and 2010, the use of alpha-agonists, anxiolytics, and stimulants increased. All other drug classes decreased. In 2010, slightly one-fifth of youth (18.4%) were prescribed ≥ 3 drugs concomitantly, 8% were prescribed ≥ 4, and 3.5% were prescribed ≥ 5 drugs. Between 2006 and 2010, there has been a significant increase in the use of ≥ 5 drugs concomitantly. Profile of Youth with Serious Emotional Disturbances The majority of youths who received mental health services were male (57%), white (71%), and eligible for Medicaid through CFC (87.4%). Of the youth aged 0 to 18 who received mental health services, 46.4% had either a disruptive behavior disorder or adjustment disorder. Conclusions and Policy Implications trial
ServiceUtilization.docx