People between the ages of 15 and 44 are the primary cause of mortality from suicide (Bliokas et al., 2019). Patients in the direst situations are referred to the emergency room, where care is limited by the availability of beds and the capacity of patients to pay. Suicidal patients in the ED face long waits in packed waiting rooms and a lack of appropriate treatment options. The administration’s aim on quick patient dispositions might lead to insufficient follow-up as a result of this delay. Research shows that patients are 200 times more likely to take their own lives if they don’t get enough follow-up care after being discharged from the hospital (Chung et al., 2019). To better assess suicidal patients in emergency rooms and ensure that they get proper follow-up treatment, Florida congressman Gus Bilirakis has presented legislation to that effect in Congress. For the purposes of this study, healthcare policy bill 4861, as well as the author’s justification for selecting it, will be discussed.
Reason for HR 4861
Providing grant money to research ways to improve emergency department treatment for people considering suicide is recommended by the “Effective Suicide Screening and Assessment in the Emergency Department Act” of 2019. The goal of this approach is to better coordinate patient release and follow-up by educating and training emergency department personnel to identify high-risk patients. Suicidal patients hospitalized to the emergency department in 2017 said that their stay was unpleasant and that follow-up after discharge was insufficient (Shand et al.).
Purpose and Expected Outcomes
Improving inpatient and outpatient teamwork and creating an environment conducive to better patient outcomes are the primary goals of this proposal. Today, the inpatient environment and subsequent treatment are not linked. For suicidal patients, ensuring a smooth transition from hospital to outpatient treatment should be a top focus because of evidence that proper discharge planning improves the patient’s physical health (Bliokas et al., 2019). Inconsistent referrals may necessitate that the patient book an appointment on their own. For those who have attempted suicide, the decisions and follow-up meetings may be difficult, which might exacerbate feelings of despair and loneliness (Shand et al., 2017). If passed, the law will guarantee that patients get follow-up care from professionals in the mental health field who are properly qualified. The results of the first visit should reflect patient follow-up, since no-shows now make about 70% of all appointments (Knesper, 2010). A new risk assessment for all patients in the ED will assist identify individuals who need a qualified specialist to evaluate their mental health. As a result, even though the healthcare law does not explicitly establish outcome measures, grant money is required to include precise, quantifiable results.
Bill Sponsors
The bill’s bipartisan backing suggests that it has a broader base of support than previously thought. Democrats Eligel, E. Tonko, P. Gabbard, T. Luria, E. Titus, D. Rush, and B. Krishanooprithi, R. backed healthcare bill 4861, as did Republicans Bilirakis, G. Katko, and J. Davis, R.
Reasons for Chosen Bill
The emergency department (ED) is often overflowing with depressed and suicidal patients, who are handled in a different way than individuals hospitalized for more prevalent ailments like heart or respiratory problems. Patients with physical problems get the same level of care and treatment regardless of their capacity to pay; financed or not. With their possessions confiscated and weapons check by security, People suffering from mental illnesses are kept in a cramped quarter with just one television installed flush and securely behind plexiglass. Lethality is assessed by providers using prepared, uncaring remarks, and they are then left to wait with no idea of where they will end up.
Prior to harming themselves, depressed and suicidal individuals often visit the ED (Shand et al., 2017). Patients at risk of depression and suicidal thoughts should be identified by healthcare practitioners with particular training in the detection process. Collaboration between inpatient and outpatient institutions is essential to guarantee that the suicidal patient receives the same level of treatment in both settings.