Dolan Margaret A, Mace Sharon E
Ann Emerg Med. 2006 Oct;48(4):484-6. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2006.08.015.
Emergency departments (EDs) are vital in the management of pediatric patients with mental health emergencies (MHE). Pediatric MHE are an increasing part of emergency medical practice because EDs have become the safety net for a fragmented mental health infrastructure which is experiencing critical shortages in services in all sectors. EDs must safely, humanely, and in a culturally and developmentally appropriate manner manage pediatric patients with undiagnosed and known mental illnesses including those with mental retardation, autistic spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and those experiencing a behavioral crisis. EDs also manage patients with suicidal ideation, depression, escalating aggression, substance abuse, post traumatic stress disorder, maltreatment, and those exposed to violence and unexpected deaths. EDs must address not only the physical but also the mental health needs of patients during and after mass casualty incidents and disasters. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Emergency Physicians support the following actions: advocacy for increased mental health resources, including improved pediatric mental health tools for the ED, increased mental health insurance coverage, adequate reimbursement at all levels; acknowledgment of the importance of the child's medical home, and promotion of education and research for mental health emergencies.
急诊科在处理患有心理健康紧急情况（MHE）的儿科患者方面至关重要。儿科心理健康紧急情况在急诊医疗实践中所占比例日益增加，因为急诊科已成为精神卫生基础设施碎片化的安全网，而该基础设施在各个领域的服务都严重短缺。急诊科必须以安全、人道且符合文化和发育特点的方式，管理患有未确诊和已知精神疾病的儿科患者，包括患有智力障碍、自闭症谱系障碍、注意力缺陷多动障碍（ADHD）以及处于行为危机中的患者。急诊科还管理有自杀意念、抑郁情绪、攻击性升级、药物滥用、创伤后应激障碍、虐待以及遭受暴力和意外死亡的患者。在大规模伤亡事件和灾难期间及之后，急诊科不仅必须满足患者的身体需求，还必须满足其心理健康需求。美国儿科学会和美国急诊医师学会支持以下行动：倡导增加心理健康资源，包括为急诊科改进儿科心理健康工具、增加心理健康保险覆盖范围、各级提供充足的报销；承认儿童医疗之家的重要性，以及促进心理健康紧急情况方面的教育和研究。
