This unstructured review provides a concise summary describing the benefits of dedicated psychiatric emergency service units (PES) for more efficiently and effectively treating behavioral emergencies. The authors review the epidemiology of behavioral health-related emergency department (ED) visits including financial costs to the institution. Mental health triage scales and medical assessment (“clearance”) protocols are reviewed. The description of medications is too basic for psychiatrists—the review is in a nursing journal—but the final section neatly summarizes the benefits of a PES for cost effectiveness, boarding, and quality of care. The authors also rightfully point out gaps in the existing literature such as the lack of longer term outcomes among patients treated by these services. This review will be helpful for trainees seeking an overview of the PES service model as well as administrators considering options for care delivery in the ED environment.

Type of study: (http://ebm.bmj.com/content/early/2016/06/23/ebmed-2016-110401): Narrative review