Background: A significant number of emergency department (ED) patients in Japan may be affected by mental health problems leading to attempted suicide. This retrospective descriptive study aimed to explore mental health service needs in a Japanese medical centre ED.
Methods: Data on all inpatients were collected within 24 h of admission to the ED of a medical centre in Tokyo from 1st February 2004 to the 31st of January 2005.
Results: A total of 14.4% (95% CI 13.0 to 16.0) of ED visits required psychiatric services and 23.4% (95% CI 21.7 to 25.3) of inpatients had experienced psychologically traumatic events.
Conclusions: Approximately 38% (95% CI 35.8 to 39.9) of patients presenting to an ED could be affected by mental health problems.