Implementation of Nurse-Driven Standardized Protocols to Reduce Behavioral Health Patients' Length of Stay Within the ED: A Quality Improvement Initiative.

Background: Patients presenting to the ED, with behavioral health crises in the United States, are frequently held for hours to days awaiting evaluation, medical clearance, and transfer to a behavioral health facility or discharge from the ED. Extended boarding of behavioral health patients can create an unsafe and potentially dangerous environment, placing additional demands on EDs.

Objective: Identify and improve processes that delay treatment for mental health patients in the ED.