A Pediatric Psychology Bridge Clinic as an Acute Care and Emergency Department Diversion Service.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Summer 2026
Identifier
DOI: 10.1080/23794925.2026.2644197
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The needs of pediatric patients presenting to emergency departments for psychiatric complaints far exceed the capacity of available acute care services. A Pediatric Psychology Bridge Clinic was established to provide short-term care for patients while they await outpatient therapeutic services.
OBJECTIVE: This study characterizes the demographics, clinical presentation, and recidivism of patients treated in this Bridge Clinic in an 18-month period.
METHOD: Data were gathered from a retrospective chart review of 74 patients referred to the Bridge Clinic. These patients were also compared to a matched sample of patients who were admitted to a psychiatric inpatient unit during the same time frame.
RESULTS: The 74 Bridge Clinic patients ranged from 6 to 17 years old (
CONCLUSIONS: The current study demonstrates that a Bridge Clinic providing short-term access to mental healthcare is an effective way to reduce emergency department lengths of stay and provide therapeutic support to patients presenting with high levels of psychiatric acuity.
Journal Title
Evid Based Pract Child Adolesc Ment Health
Volume
11
Issue
3
First Page
425
Last Page
435
MeSH Keywords
Humans; Female; Child; Adolescent; Retrospective Studies; Male; Emergency Service, Hospital; Mental Disorders; Emergency Room Visits; Referral and Consultation
PubMed ID
42847856
Keywords
Retrospective Studies; Hospital Emergency Service; Mental Disorders; Emergency Room Visits; Referral and Consultation
Recommended Citation
Radtke S, Sommerhalder M, Skolnick S, et al. A Pediatric Psychology Bridge Clinic as an Acute Care and Emergency Department Diversion Service. Evid Based Pract Child Adolesc Ment Health. 2026;11(3):425-435. doi:10.1080/23794925.2026.2644197
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