Hiperfrequency in mental health hospital emergencies

case-control study

Abstract

Background: To ensure the efficiency of the operation of the Emergency Department, specific mental health studies are needed. The purpose of the study was to identify and quantify the sociodemographic, clinical and organizational factors associated with the hyperfrequency of hospital Mental Health emergency departments in the three central areas of Asturias.

Methods: A retrospective case-control study was carried out. A total of 110 hyperfrequenters were recorded in 2017, based on a definition of five or more visits to the emergency department. The control group was composed of 170 subjects who attended on one occasion. In addition to descriptive analysis, Chi-square and ANOVA tests were used to identify differences between the two groups. A multivariate study was also carried out using binomial logistic regression.

Results: Hyperfrequent users were more likely to be young adult (30-44 years old), single, living with their family of origin, and with no jobs. The most prevalent diagnoses for these users were “Personality and Behavior Disorder” (F60-69) and “Schizophrenia, Schizotypal Disorders and Delusional Disorders” (F20-29). The most frequent reason for consultation was “anxiety/depression/somatization symptoms”. The destination of the most frequent emergency was “Continue follow-up at scheduled appointments” and most consultations were made in the morning and on weekdays.

Conclusions: Hyperfrequent users continue to demand attention despite being assigned one or more devices. Knowing their needs would help to improve healthcare and use resources more efficiently and effectively.