Behavioral Healthcare in Our Emergency Department

At Children's National, we take behavioral health seriously. Treatment for these conditions requires a special set of rules to ensure everyone’s safety.

These rules include:

• Someone from our security team will do a routine safety check for you and your child using a handheld metal detector.
• You and your child will need to place your belongings in a locker. This includes electronic devices.
• Your child will be given a gown and hospital socks to change into.
• Bras and chest binders may be allowed after being checked by our staff. Most hair decorations and all hair ties, bands, hats and jewelry must be removed.
• Your child will be checked with a metal detector again.
• Staff will explain what to expect and will answer any questions you have during your visit.
• Often a staff member will need to remain with your child throughout their stay.

An emergency department provider will evaluate your child and determine if a behavioral health evaluation is required. Laboratory testing may be needed.

If a behavioral health evaluation is required, you will first be seen by the psychiatry social worker. They will then discuss your child’s concerns with a psychiatrist to determine next steps and care needed. The plan will then be discussed with you and your child.

We expect you to remain with your child for the entire visit. If you must leave, please give a working phone number to your nurse. If your child is ready to go home and you have left, you will need to come back within one (1) hour so your child can be discharged.

The Emergency Department does not:

• Start or change home psychiatric medications
• Provide full psychiatric evaluations (often requested by schools)

If your child needs to stay in the hospital and there are no open beds, they may need to stay in the Emergency Department for several days.

While in the Emergency Department:

• A staff member will stay with your child at all times.
• A psychiatrist will see your child daily.
• The psychiatrist may decide that your child is safe to go home with outpatient care before a bed becomes available.
• In the event you need to leave and a bed becomes available, we will call you and share your child's new room number with you.

A psychiatry social worker does the initial psychiatric evaluation which is then discussed with the psychiatrist to determine the care your child needs.

A psychiatrist is a specialist in behavioral health who will determine the best approach to the care for your child.

A child psychiatry specialist is trained in routine care for patients presenting with behavioral health needs. They may stay with your child in the Psych ED area and help support your child’s needs while here and ensure their safety.

A unit support associate may stay with your child in the Psych ED area and help support your child’s needs while here and ensure their safety.