Improving outcomes for people with acute mental illness in the emergency department: a data linkage study
Quick facts
Prof Stuart Kinner, Prof Gerry Fitzgerald, A/Prof Ed Heffernan, Prof Marianne Wallis, Prof Paul Scuffham, Dr Ping Zhang, Prof Gerben Keijzers, Dr Jesse Young, Dr Marc Broadbent, Dr Emma Bosley, Mr Ken Becker, Dr Amy Johnston, Dr Melinda Martin-Khan
The number of presentations to public emergency departments diagnosed with a mental illness in Australia is increasing. Current data collection systems cause some individuals with mental health problems presenting to an emergency department invisible, potentially compromising health service planning and delivery.
This research aims to understand and inform the emergency care for people with acute mental health problems accessing emergency departments in Queensland.
Read more about the project.
“Nearly 1 in 2 adult Australians will experience a mental disorder and some of these people will present to the emergency department for care. To improve treatment and outcomes for this vulnerable group of people, there is a fundamental need to undertake this interagency, collaborative research.”
—Prof Julia Crilly
Grants Awarded
Evaluating the impact of alcohol on emergency department presentations
Quick facts
Alcohol misuse is a major health issue and can cause many diseases and injury conditions. The extent of alcohol related presentations to the emergency department is likely underestimated.
This research project aims to provide an overview of alcohol-related presentations to understand their prevalence as well as the group’s demographic profile, clinical characteristics, care delivery and outcomes.
The anticipated knowledge from this study can be used to inform future research, especially related to the implementation and evaluation of evidence-based interventions in the emergency department.
“This multidisciplinary and multi-site study will provide an important contemporary understanding as to the profile, care delivery and outcomes for alcohol-related presentations made to the emergency department. Findings may be used to enhance practice (if needed) and inform policy.”
—Prof Julia Crilly
Grants Awarded
Delivering care in the watch house: an outcomes evaluation
Quick facts
Grants Awarded
Evaluation of emergency nurses in the watch house
Quick facts
People who present to the emergency department by police are a vulnerable population. Limited evidence exists as to what and how health care is best delivered to these people. This research aims to understand if the demographic, clinical profile and outcomes of people arriving to the emergency department by police differ to those for people arriving by other means. The study also aims to evaluate the structures, processes and outcomes of a trial where emergency department nurses worked in the local police watch house.
“People detained in police watch-house settings are a vulnerably population with significant health issues that can necessitate access to health care. The innovative model trialled saw emergency nurses supplementing existing domiciliary nurses to provide 24/7 nursing presence in the watch-house. Findings from this research can be used by other clinicians, policy makers and decision makers in determining the potential to implement a model like this in other watch-house settings.”
– Prof Julia Crilly
