ABSTRACT
The space needs of modern psychiatric emergency services and the actual space allocated in the older, existing facilities rarely match. But the importance of handling psychiatric cases adequately and safely in emergency departments argues for providing adequate space. Furnishings for interviewing rooms should be comfortable and safe from being used as weapons or barricades. Wall-mounted, dropleaf desks may be most convenient and safe. Chairs and tables bolted to walls or floors cannot be picked up and thrown. The administrator may wish to plan the general emergency department's waiting area as adequate for psychiatric patients and their families if the psychiatric emergency department is nearby. Emergency psychiatric programs must have written protocols setting out procedural instructions and program policies. These may be as simple as a compilation of administrative memorandum or as complex as a publication that doubles as a teaching supplement for trainees.
