Emergency Department Visits by Older Adults with Mental Illness in North Carolina

INTRODUCTION: We analyzed emergency department (ED) visits by patients with mental health disorders (MHDs) in North Carolina from 2008–2010 to determine frequencies and characteristics of ED visits by older adults with MHDs. METHODS: We extracted ED visit data from the North Carolina Disease Event Tracking and Epidemiologic Collection Tool (NC DETECT). We defined mental health visits as visits with a mental health ICD-9-CM diagnostic code, and organized MHDs into clinically similar groups for analysis. RESULTS: Those ≥65 with MHDs accounted for 27.3% of all MHD ED visits, and 51.2% were admitted. The most common MHD diagnoses for this age group were psychosis, and stress/anxiety/depression. CONCLUSION: Older adults with MHDs account for over one-quarter of ED patients with MHDs, and their numbers will continue to increase as the “boomer” population ages. We must anticipate and prepare for the MHD-related needs of the elderly.