The Financial effect of Covid-19 on children's hospitals without pediatric psychiatric units

Author

Patricia TranFollow

Date of Award

2022

Degree Name

Healthcare Administration

College

College of Business

Type of Degree

M.S.

Document Type

Research Paper

First Advisor

Alberto Coustasse

Abstract

Introduction: Boarding of pediatric psychiatric patients in emergency departments and inpatient medical units while awaiting placement in psychiatric facilities was common before the COVID-19 pandemic and was associated with significant hospital cost. The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a mental health crisis in the pediatric population. This study looked at the how the COVID-19 pandemic affected pediatric psychiatric boarding and the effects of pediatric psychiatric boarding on hospital finances.

Methodology: The methodology of this study utilized a literature review with semi-structured interviews of local subject matter experts. The literature review analyzed the effects of the COVID-19 precipitated pediatric mental health crisis on pediatric psychiatric boarding and the financial effects of psychiatric boarding on children’s hospitals.

Results: Pediatric psychiatric boarding during COVID-19 was majority due to COVID-related stressors. There is mixed evidence for the number of pediatric psychiatric boarding admissions to emergency departments and general inpatient units during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is also mixed evidence regarding length of stay for pediatric boarding patients. Limited data was found regarding hospital cost and reimbursement for pediatric psychiatric boarding during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Discussion/Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent pediatric mental health crisis had a significant impact on pediatric psychiatric boarding. More studies are needed to determine the extent of the financial effects of COVID-19 due to pediatric psychiatric boarding.

Subject(s)

Health services administration.

Health facilities -- Business management.

COVID-19 (Disease) -- Patients.

Child psychiatry.

Recommended Citation

Tran, Patricia, "The Financial effect of Covid-19 on children's hospitals without pediatric psychiatric units" (2022). Theses, Dissertations and Capstones. 1425.
https://mds.marshall.edu/etd/1425