Name
Reducing Repeat Emergency Department Utilization Through Integrated Behavioral Health and Targeted Case Management
Description

Emergency departments are increasingly the default access point for untreated behavioral health conditions. This session presents an implementation-guided model embedding behavioral health and case management into ED workflows to reduce repeat utilization among high-risk patients. Attendees will learn how milestone-based implementation, workflow integration, and ROI modeling can support sustainable integrated care. Practical tools and templates will be provided.

Speakers
Stephen LaSarge, DBH, MHI
Content Level
Advanced
Tags
Innovations, Quality improvement programs, SBIRT Model of Integrated Care
Session Type
Concurrent
Objective 1
IDENTIFY high risk emergency department behavioral health utilizers appropriate for targeted case management integration.
Objective 2
DESIGN a phased implementation plan using milestone tracking to reduce premature adoption and implementation drift.
Objective 3
DEVELOP a basic return on investment framework to demonstrate financial and clinical value of integrated ED behavioral health models.
Content Reference 1

Hostutler, C. A., Shahidullah, J. D., Rybak, T. M., Stephenson, K. G., Freeman, K. A., LaLonde, L., Danzo, S., Koval, E. T., Hughes, H., & Riley, A. R. (2025). Integrated primary care and mental health service utilization: A meta-analysis. Pediatrics, 156(2), e2025071275. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2025-071275

Content Reference 2

Ashcraft, L. E., Goodrich, D. E., Hero, J. O., et al. (2024). A systematic review of experimentally tested implementation strategies across health and human service settings. Implementation Science, 19(38). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-024-01369-5

Content Reference 3

Balis, L. E., & Houghtaling, B. (2023). Matching barriers and facilitators to implementation strategies: Recommendations for community settings. Implementation Science Communications, 4(56). https://doi.org/10.1186/s43058-023-00532-1

Content Reference 4

Pardes, A., Rene, R., Chun, P., & Cherson, M. (2022). Technology-enabled behavioral health integration decreases emergency department utilization. Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health, 18, e2208150.

Content Reference 5

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2023). National guidelines for behavioral health crisis care: Best practice toolkit. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://store.samhsa.gov/product/National-Guidelines-for-Behavioral-Health-Crisis-Care/PEP23-02-01-001