Massachusetts Emergency Department & Outpatient Data During COVID-19 Crisis Indicate Fewer Assessments Of Psychiatric Symptoms

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic emergency, Massachusetts emergency departments and outpatient settings conducted fewer psychiatric assessments per week in late March compared to January and February. The share of emergency department visit notes with mentions of depression dropped by 44%, from a mean of 1,446 visits per week in January and February to 886 visits the week of March 19 to 25. The share of outpatient visit notes with mentions of depression dropped by 81%, from 49,312 visits in January and February to 9,315 visits the week of March 19 to 25. Similar patterns . . .