psychiatric boarding
Extended stay of psychiatric patients in emergency departments while awaiting transfer to appropriate mental health facilities.
Full Definition
The practice of keeping psychiatric patients in emergency department beds for prolonged periods due to lack of available inpatient psychiatric beds or appropriate community mental health resources. Psychiatric boarding occurs when patients require involuntary commitment but no facility beds are immediately available, sometimes lasting days or weeks. This practice strains emergency resources and may compromise patient care. Emergency psychiatry teams must manage these patients' ongoing psychiatric needs while they remain in the emergency department setting.
Usage
Usage note: Always lowercase; use as noun or gerund, not as verb form 'to board.'
In Context
- "Psychiatric boarding increased 40% last quarter due to statewide bed shortages." — Hospital administration report
- "The patient has been psychiatric boarding for three days while awaiting involuntary commitment bed availability." — Status update