094 - Brighter Days Pediatric Mental Health Urgent Care Center: Development of a New Model to Address the Gap in Service Delivery

Publication Number: 94.4442

Michael A. Scharf, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, United States; Linda J.. Alpert-Gillis, Golisano Children's Hospital at The University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States

Background: Our nation is facing a pediatric mental health crisis. Access to evidence-based care is essential to address this challenge. Current models of care often include long wait times and/or are not readily accessible for under-resourced, marginalized families.

Objective: 1) Improve access to mental healthcare for diverse children and adolescents in acute distress and their caregivers through a physical and virtual 7 day/week urgent care model; 2) Decrease demand on emergency dept. for needs not requiring care exclusively possible in emergency depts.; 3) Provide a welcoming and affirming patient and family centered environment for those facing acute mental health challenges; 4) Support a multidisciplinary team to offer: assessment and evaluation; safety planning, crisis intervention, family-centered support, and linkage to healthcare and educational resources.

Design/Methods: The Departments of Psychiatry & Pediatrics, in partnership with the community, designed and implemented the urgent care model. The thin margins of non-profit healthcare systems cannot alone support the needed innovation that is called for by the mental health crisis; partnering with community stakeholders, particularly parents, led to the final design, staffing, and services offered.

Results: Initial patient satisfaction ratings have been very high. Preliminary responses from the community, including pediatric and educational stakeholders, have been overwhelmingly positive. In the first 3 months, over 400 youth have accessed the center. Ten percent of all walk-in patients have been referred to and seen by our START (Short-Term Assessment and Response Team) program located within the urgent care, while 8 percent have been seen for a scheduled follow-up appointment within the urgent care. Other dispositions include direct admission to our inpatient service, admission to our partial hospital program, follow-up by our mobile crisis team, return to existing mental health provider, referral to our outpatient services and other community-based services. Collaboration with internal and external services, such as our 24 hour/7 day/week Behavioral Health Crisis Call Line have been essential partners in the development and ongoing operation of the urgent care center.

Conclusion(s): Pediatric Mental Health Urgent Care models have the potential to provide needed access to care when a youth is in acute distress. Walk-in and virtual services with 7 day/week availability have the potential to better meet the need. However, it is essential that such models have access to a broad continuum of care so that appropriate follow-up is available when needed.

Construction of the Brighter Days Pediatric Mental Health Urgent Care Center


Entrance to the new Pediatric Urgent Care Center


Relaxation Room
Parent designed and named Relaxation Room off the main waiting area