ED and Pediatrician Collaboration

Ongoing communication after a pediatric mental health crisis doesn’t just support better patient outcomes; it helps systems learn, adjust, and improve. PMHCAs can play a critical role by helping EDs and primary care teams establish a feedback loop that captures what happened after the visit, identifies what worked, and updates care strategies moving forward.

This approach encourages transparency, reduces repeat visits, and supports continuous improvement.

Emergencies require fast, coordinated responses. This section outlines how EDs and pediatricians can align around key communication points, shared risk stratification, and immediate follow-up responsibilities. In this example process, PMHCA teams can see where their expertise can support providers, both in and out of the ED.

When pediatricians and ED teams coordinate care, children in crisis experience faster stabilization, more personalized support, and fewer repeat visits. This section offers shared planning templates, structured handoff checklists, and collaborative care agreements to ensure no child slips through the cracks.

PMHCAs are uniquely positioned to support EDs with flexible, role-specific education strategies that fit within the fast-paced, 24/7 clinical environment. By customizing content for nurses, physicians, and unlicensed staff and delivering it through quick, accessible formats like pre-shift huddles, standing meetings, and virtual sessions, PMHCAs can ensure all staff, including night and weekend teams, receive the same essential training.