Outcomes from the evaluation of an emergency department-based mental health nurse practitioner outpatient service in Australia

Purpose: To evaluate an emergency department (ED)‐based mental health nurse practitioner (MHNP) outpatient service in Sydney, Australia. Data sources: Data collection incorporated waiting times for follow‐up outpatient appointments, two brief self‐report measures (the K‐10 measure of psychological distress and the General Self‐Efficacy Scale), a satisfaction tool, and interviews conducted with a random selection of outpatients and a stratified, purposive sample of ED staff. Conclusions: Over 60% of outpatients were followed up within 5 days of their initial presentation. The mean K‐10 score at baseline was 32 (very high psychological distress, n= 101) but this had decreased by two categories to 24 at follow‐up (moderate psychological distress, n= 51). There was a modest association between decreased psychological distress and an increase in perceived self‐efficacy. Participant satisfaction with aspects of the outpatient service was generally rated as high to very high. Interviewed outpatients (n= 23) were particularly positive about the accessibility, immediacy, and flexibility of the service and overall therapeutic benefits. Emergency staff (n= 20) considered the outpatient service enhanced service provision by facilitating access to a population of patients who were previously underserved. Implications for practice: The ED‐based MHNP role enhances access to specialized mental health care and also supports emergency staff.