The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) increased utilization of its EmPATH (Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment, and Healing) unit from 12% to 40% of capacity. According to a report from Becker’s Behavioral Health, the improvement came through a series of targeted changes including referral process adjustments, staffing modifications, and provider education. EmPATH units are designed to provide a calm, therapeutic environment for patients experiencing a psychiatric crisis, offering an alternative to traditional emergency department boarding.

Key takeaways

  • MUSC’s EmPATH unit capacity utilization rose from 12% to 40% after implementing multiple operational changes.
  • Key strategies included streamlining referrals from emergency departments and community partners, adjusting staffing models, and conducting ongoing education for referring clinicians.
  • EmPATH units aim to reduce long waits in emergency departments by providing dedicated, calm spaces for psychiatric evaluation and stabilization.
  • The increase in utilization helped MUSC shorten patient wait times and improve overall crisis care flow.

What is an EmPATH unit?

EmPATH stands for Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment, and Healing. These units are specialized areas within or near a hospital that offer a less restrictive, more therapeutic environment for patients in psychiatric crisis. Unlike traditional emergency department rooms, EmPATH units typically have comfortable seating, natural light, and opportunities for movement. Patients receive rapid assessment, short-term treatment, and connection to follow-up care. The goal is to reduce the time patients spend in chaotic emergency department settings and to minimize unnecessary psychiatric hospitalizations.

MUSC opened its EmPATH unit in 2019 but initially struggled with low utilization. Staff reported that referring providers in the emergency department and community did not always know about the unit or how to send patients to it. The unit also faced challenges with staffing consistency and patient flow.

Strategies that drove the improvement

According to the Becker’s Behavioral Health report, MUSC took several deliberate steps to raise utilization from 12% to 40% over a period of months. First, the hospital streamlined the referral process. Emergency department physicians and community crisis teams received clear, simple guidelines on which patients were appropriate for the EmPATH unit and how to initiate a transfer. A dedicated liaison was available to answer questions and facilitate handoffs.

Second, MUSC adjusted staffing to match patient volume. The unit increased the number of nurses and mental health technicians during peak hours, and it introduced a rapid response team that could be called to the emergency department to assess potential EmPATH candidates. This reduced delays and built trust among referring clinicians.

Third, ongoing education played a crucial role. MUSC held regular meetings with emergency department staff, hospital administrators, and community partners to explain the benefits of the EmPATH unit and to address any concerns. Data on utilization, patient outcomes, and wait times were shared transparently, which helped reinforce the value of the unit.

Finally, the hospital leadership made the EmPATH unit a priority in its behavioral health strategy. Performance metrics for the unit were included in hospital-wide dashboards, and staff were recognized for meeting utilization targets. This organizational commitment signaled that the unit was a core part of crisis care, not an optional add-on.

Impact on patient care and hospital flow

The increase in EmPATH utilization had several positive effects. Patients who would have spent hours or even days in the emergency department waiting for a psychiatric bed were instead seen quickly in the EmPATH unit, where they received a comprehensive assessment and short-term stabilization. The report noted that the unit’s average length of stay was shorter than stays in the emergency department for similar patients, which freed up emergency department resources for other emergencies.

MUSC also reported that fewer patients were boarding in the emergency department for psychiatric reasons, and that the hospital’s overall psychiatric admission rate decreased slightly, as the EmPATH unit was able to handle acute crises without requiring inpatient hospitalization for every patient. Many patients were discharged home with a plan for outpatient follow-up, reducing the demand for inpatient psychiatric beds.

Lessons for other hospitals

The MUSC experience offers a model for other hospitals that are considering or have already opened an EmPATH unit. The key lesson is that simply opening a unit does not guarantee its use. Active outreach, clear referral pathways, adequate staffing, and leadership support are essential. The report suggests that hospitals should monitor utilization data closely and be willing to adjust processes in response to feedback from referring clinicians and patients.

Another important takeaway is the value of integrating the EmPATH unit into the broader crisis care continuum. MUSC worked with community mental health centers, law enforcement, and mobile crisis teams to ensure that patients could be directed to the unit from multiple entry points. This coordination helped sustain the utilization gains over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an EmPATH unit and a psychiatric emergency department?

An EmPATH unit is typically a separate, dedicated space that offers a calming, less clinical environment compared to a traditional psychiatric emergency department. It focuses on rapid assessment, short-term treatment, and connection to outpatient care, while a psychiatric emergency department is often a part of the main emergency department with similar staffing and equipment. EmPATH units are designed to reduce the stress of the emergency setting and to minimize unnecessary hospitalizations.

How long do patients typically stay in an EmPATH unit?

Length of stay varies but is generally shorter than an inpatient psychiatric admission. Most patients are seen, assessed, stabilized, and discharged or transferred within 12 to 24 hours. The exact time depends on the severity of the crisis, availability of follow-up appointments, and the patient’s response to initial treatment. MUSC reported that its EmPATH unit’s average stay was measured in hours, not days.

What types of patients are appropriate for an EmPATH unit?

EmPATH units are designed for patients experiencing an acute psychiatric crisis who do not require immediate medical stabilization or involuntary hospitalization. Examples include patients with depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, or substance use issues who are medically stable and can participate in a voluntary assessment. Patients who are aggressive, intoxicated, or have significant medical problems are usually treated in a traditional emergency department first.

This is an original report by Vital Signs Today, informed by reporting from Google News. Read the original source.

This article is for information only and is not medical advice. See our Medical Disclaimer.