Impact of the mental healthcare delivery system on california emergency departments.

Introduction: This is an observational study of emergency departments (ED) in California to identify factors related to the magnitude of ED utilization by patients with mental health needs.

Methods: In 2010, an online survey was administered to ED directors in California querying them about factors related to the evaluation, timeliness to appropriate psychiatric treatment, and disposition of patients presenting to EDs with psychiatric complaints.

Results: One hundred twenty-three ED directors from 42 of California's 58 counties responded to the survey.