Mary Lanning Healthcare’s Emergency Room was recognized in the Becker’s
Behavioral Health Review E-Newsletter in the October 27 edition. MLH was included on a nationwide list of 10 hospitals and health systems with the shortest and longest emergency department visits for psychiatric and mental health patients.
Data came from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and was recorded from January-December 2023. The measures applied to adults and children treated. Nationwide, the median ED visit time for mental health patients was 271 minutes, up from 267, according to CMS data.
The median visit time at MLH was 27 minutes, ranking MLH sixth on the shortest wait time list.
Kim Kern, MLH Director of Behavioral Services, said she was pleased to hear that MLH was among the top hospitals in the country for mental health wait times.
“Short wait times in the emergency department are critical for individuals presenting with a mental health need,” Kern said. “Timely assessments and admissions improve patient safety and outcomes, as well as demonstrate respect and compassion for individuals with a mental health crisis.”
MLH is one of only a few hospitals outside of Omaha and Lincoln that have an inpatient Behavioral Services Unit. Patients can be admitted to that unit voluntarily or under Emergency Protective Custody.
