Police referrals at the psychiatric emergency service in Taiwan.

摘要: Introduction The police are the frontline workers in crisis situations involving patients with severe mental illness and act as a primary referral source for psychiatric emergency services (PES) community. The aims of this study were to investigate distribution characteristics among Taiwan. Methods The cohort consisted who visited PES Taipei City Psychiatric Center from January 2009 December 2010. associations between factors demographics, clinical characteristics, service utilization evaluated. Results Among 7656 visits, 3029 (39.6%) referred by police. These more likely be male aged 30 49 years. Clinical related referrals including higher triage assessment level, chief problems included violence, disturbance, substance use, less anxiety, diagnosis unspecified psychosis. level assessed nurses major predictors. tended catchment area during nighttime shift, discharged daytime stayed longer PES. Disposition arrangements such discharge against medical advice involuntary admission also associated referrals. Discussion Patients those illnesses psychiatrists. They have complex at