Requiring preauthorization to admit psychiatric patients to the hospital from the emergency department wastes physicians' time and puts these patients' safety at risk, according to a study reported by the American College of Emergency Physicians that will be published in Annals of Emergency Medicine.
Researchers analyzed data on 53 psychiatric ED patients. While half of the authorization requests were approved within 20 minutes, 10 percent were not approved for an hour or more, according to the report. Only one patient's insurance denied preauthorization.
Long waits for preauthorization present a risk for psychiatric ED patients — many of whom may be suicidal — and take physicians' time away from direct patient care, according to the report.
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Researchers analyzed data on 53 psychiatric ED patients. While half of the authorization requests were approved within 20 minutes, 10 percent were not approved for an hour or more, according to the report. Only one patient's insurance denied preauthorization.
Long waits for preauthorization present a risk for psychiatric ED patients — many of whom may be suicidal — and take physicians' time away from direct patient care, according to the report.
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Study: Return ED Visits Account for Half of Patient Returns to Acute-Level Care