Who Comes Back? Characteristics and Predictors of Return to Emergency Department Services for Pediatric Mental Health Care

Abstract

Among children and adolescents who accessed the ED for mental health concerns, being female, older in age, in receipt of social assistance, and having an initial visit for a mood disorder or psychotic-related illness were associated with return for further care. How patient presentations were triaged and whether visits were made to a pediatric or general ED also affected the likelihood of return.