Improving the care of mentally ill patients in a tertiary emergency department: Development of a psychiatric assessment and planning unit

Abstract

Objective: The aim was to describe the Psychiatric Assessment and Planning Unit (PAPU), established at the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) to improve access to psychiatric care for patients presenting via the Emergency Department (ED). Method: PAPU was opened in January 2007. Data was recorded from RMH ED databases to compare ED lengths of stay (LOS) prior to and after establishing PAPU. Interventions including requirement for one-to-one nursing (i.e. one nurse dedicated to the care and observation of one patient) and mechanical restraint and unarmed security threats are routinely documented and were compared before and after PAPU opened. Demographic data and inpatient LOS information was col..