Embedding Care Coordination within Psychiatric Emergency Services: An Overview of the Impact and Supporting Literature

The paper explores the partnership between Colorado Access and Denver Health’s Psychiatric Emergency Services to improve care for individuals with behavioral health conditions. By embedding a care coordinator within the emergency services, it highlights the potential for reduced hospital readmissions and enhanced follow-up care. Results indicate that face-to-face interactions significantly increase assistance and scheduled follow-ups compared to non-face-to-face encounters. The findings support the need for timely and effective behavioral health care coordination to optimize patient outcomes and minimize costs. Recommendations for robust data collection and information sharing are also provided to enhance future interventions.