An examination of the temporal and geographical patterns of psychiatric emergency service use by multiple visit patients as a means for their early detection.

Background: Frequent users of the psychiatric emergency service (PES) place a heavy burden upon the mental health care delivery system. The aim of this study was to identify distinct temporal or geographical patterns of PES use by these patients as potential markers for their early detection.

Methods: Diagnostic profiles were obtained for patients making an intermediate (4 to 10) or a high (11 or more) number of visits to a general hospital PES in Montreal (Canada) between 1985 and 2004.

Demographic and clinical profiles of patients who make multiple visits to psychiatric emergency services.

Objective: The study identified clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of patients making multiple visits to a psychiatric emergency service.

Methods: Information was obtained for patients visiting a hospital psychiatric emergency service in Montreal from 1985 to 2000. Profiles were determined for four groups: one visit, two visits, three to ten visits, and 11 or more visits.