Equitable care of psychiatric emergency room patients: It does take a village

摘要

Dr. Zun's commentary, "An Issue of Equity of Care: Psychiatric Patients Must Be Treated 'On Par' With Medical Patients," illuminates key problems faced in the care of psychiatric patients treated in the emergency department setting (1). However, we would add that even in an emergency department where a successful effort has been made to develop a well-integrated psychiatric service and specialized resources, systemic issues outside the department contribute significant obstacles to the delivery of optimal patient care.