Behavioral Healthcare in the Emergency Department at UMC

At Children's National, we take behavioral health seriously. Treatment for these conditions requires a special set of rules to ensure everyone’s safety.

These rules include:

• Someone from our security team will do a routine safety check for you and your child using a handheld metal detector.
• You and your child will need to place your belongings in a locker. This includes electronic devices.
• Your child will be given a gown and hospital socks to change into.
• Bras and chest binders may be allowed after being checked by our staff. Most hair decorations and all hair ties, bands, hats and jewelry must be removed.
• Your child will be checked with a metal detector again.
• Staff will explain what to expect and will answer any questions you have during your visit.
• Often a staff member will need to remain with your child throughout their stay.

An emergency department provider will evaluate your child and determine if a behavioral health evaluation is required. Laboratory testing may be needed.

If a behavioral health evaluation is required, you will first be seen by the psychiatry social worker via telehealth. They will then discuss your child’s concerns with a psychiatrist to determine next steps and care needed. The plan will then be discussed with you and your child.

In some situations, we may need to transfer your child to the ED at our main hospital on Michigan Avenue for their evaluation.

We expect you to remain with your child for the entire visit. If you must leave, please give a working phone number to your nurse. If your child is ready to go home and you have left, you will need to come back within one (1) hour so your child can be discharged.

The Emergency Department does not:

• Start or change home psychiatric medications
• Provide full psychiatric evaluations (often requested by schools)

If your child needs to be admitted to the hospital, they will be transferred directly to the psychiatry unit. If there are no open beds, they may need to stay in the Emergency Department for several days. Often, they are transferred to our main hospital on Michigan Avenue if this occurs.

While in the Emergency Department:

• A staff member will stay with your child at all times.
• A psychiatrist will see your child daily.
• The psychiatrist may decide that your child is safe to go home with outpatient care before a bed becomes available.
• In the event you need to leave and a bed becomes available, we will call you and share your child's new room number with you.