Investigating the enforcement of patient care laws for psychiatric emergencies
Official title: Patient Dumping and EMTALA Enforcement Involving Psychiatric Emergencies
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-10995733 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how well hospitals are following rules to care for people having mental health emergencies in emergency rooms, with the goal of finding ways to make sure everyone gets the help they need when they need it most.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 16, 2024 |
| Project end | August 15, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $94,278 |
| NIH project number | 1F32HS030193-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10995733 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing psychiatric emergencies who seek care in emergency departments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-psychiatric emergencies or those not presenting to emergency departments may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on the challenges faced by psychiatric patients in emergency departments, particularly regarding their care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). It aims to analyze how often hospitals fail to comply with EMTALA when treating psychiatric emergencies and the consequences of such violations. By examining specific cases of care denial and the outcomes for patients, the study seeks to identify patterns and improve compliance with patient care laws. The ultimate goal is to enhance the quality of care for individuals experiencing psychiatric crises.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved enforcement of patient care laws, ensuring better treatment and outcomes for psychiatric patients in emergency settings.
How similar studies have gone: While there is ongoing research into EMTALA compliance, this specific focus on psychiatric emergencies and the detailed analysis of violations is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Reichert, Zachary — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Reichert, Zachary
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.