New Research Reveals Nationwide Gaps in Pediatric Psychiatric Care

 

 

New Research by Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Reveals Nationwide Gaps in Pediatric Psychiatric Care

Written by Erin Bader

 

A new study led by Children’s Hospital Los Angeles evaluated the pediatric inpatient psychiatric capacity.   

 

Key research findings between 2017 to 2020 show: 

 

• This national study found no significant increase in the availability of inpatient pediatric psychiatric beds since 2017 

• A child’s access to pediatric inpatient psychiatric beds varies widely by state—from zero pediatric inpatient psychiatric beds in Alaska to 75 beds per 100,000 children in Arkansas 

• Almost 89% of hospitals with inpatient pediatric psychiatric beds were located in cities—meaning kids in rural areas have to travel long distances to receive care 

• About half of inpatient pediatric psychiatric beds were in free-standing psychiatric hospitals 

• 17% of inpatient pediatric psychiatric beds were in children’s psychiatric hospitals 

• 23% of inpatient pediatric psychiatric beds were in hospitals specializing in pediatric care 

 

These findings validate the need for creative solutions to ensure that children have access to the mental health services they need. The study author, Anna Cushing, MD, an attending physician in the Division of Emergency and Transport Medicine at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, says “We’re seeing a greater need for mental health services for children nationwide, and children increasingly having to wait in the emergency room for long periods of time because there are not enough inpatient psychiatric beds available,” Cushing said. “All children should have access to high quality mental healthcare regardless of where they live, their household income or their background.” 

 

The National Center shares Dr. Cushing’s mission. We will work with States, Tribes, and territories to build sustainable cross-system collaborations to improve accessibility and availability to competent mental health services.  

 

To read the full article, New Research by Children’s Hospital Los Angeles | Newswise 

 

Visit the Knowledge Hub to access the study findings report.