The Psychiatric Crisis Department, part of the Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, treats children and adolescents for mental and behavioral health crises. It’s like an emergency room, but for children experiencing a mental or behavioral health crisis.

The Psychiatric Crisis Department features 24/7 psychiatric crisis care and expertise in evaluation and treatment for acute behavioral health conditions.

General Psychiatric Crisis Department Information

Who staffs the Psychiatric Crisis Department?

The Psychiatric Crisis Department is staffed by Nationwide Children’s psychiatrists, pediatric emergency physicians, pediatricians, psychiatric nurses, advanced practice providers, mental health clinicians, mental health specialists, patient care assistants, medical residents and psychiatric fellows.

When should a patient go to the Psychiatric Crisis Department?

A patient should go to the Psychiatric Crisis Department for urgent mental or behavioral health concerns that need immediately addressed without medical concerns. A patient should go to the Main Campus Emergency Department if the patient has:

• Injuries
• Bleeding
• Unconsciousness (passed out)
• Swallowed something/Overdosed
• Breathing difficulties (chest pains)
• Concern of seizures

What happens if a patient goes to the Emergency Department first but then needs to go to the Psychiatric Crisis Department? What happens if a patient goes to the Psychiatric Crisis Department first but needs to go to the Emergency Department?

A medical screening will be completed at the Main Campus Emergency Department or Psychiatric Crisis Department when they arrive. If they need to be transferred to the other location, staff will assist with transportation options.

How do I know where to send a patient?

If you have questions about where to send a patient, call the Nationwide Children’s Physician Direct Connect Line at (614) 355-0221, which offers a 24-hour physician/provider consult transfer center, managed by experienced RNs who can assist in caring for your patients by being a single point of contact for numerous requests. The Physician Direct Connect Line can assist with:

• Transfer requests
• Referrals from local and regional physicians
• Emergency Department/Psychiatric Crisis Department referrals
• Physician to physician consultation requests

What should a patient and family expect when they arrive at the Psychiatric Crisis Department?

Your patients are coming to the Psychiatric Crisis Department to be evaluated. A mental health assessment will help determine the best treatment plan. Your patient should be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. If they are able, they should bring their ID and insurance card with them to the Psychiatric Crisis Department.

• They will be greeted by a member of Protective Services when they arrive at the Psychiatric Crisis Department. They will need to present their driver’s license and insurance card.
• They will go through a magnetometer (metal detector). Weapons are not allowed in the Psychiatric Crisis Department. Nationwide Children’s Hospital is a weapons free zone. Visitors are prohibited from possessing/carrying weapons in any Nationwide Children’s facility.
• The Psychiatric Crisis Department is a secure space. Our staff will help you when entering or exiting the unit. The only way to leave this secured area is with staff assistance.
• Staff will guide them to the appropriate area, gather information about why they are there and complete an evaluation.
• They will then go to the waiting area and wait for a mental health professional to assist them.
• Patients are seen based on acuity (severity of the situation), and not on a first-come, first-served basis. There could be wait times.
• Patients may not always be admitted. The Psychiatric Crisis Department focuses on managing the immediate crisis and assisting with follow-up care. Hospital admission is not always the answer and will only be recommended as needed.

Visitors are limited in the Psychiatric Crisis Department. Public spaces are available for families.

Will medication adjustments or suggestions be part of the patient’s discharge plan or summary?

Medication adjustments or suggestions will not be a part of a patient’s discharge plan. You can receive support for your patients in this area through BH-TIPS, Behavioral Health Treatment Insights and Provider Support. Learn more.

How can we get information and education about the Psychiatric Crisis Department for our patients and their families?

Information about when and how to use the Nationwide Children’s Psychiatric Crisis Department is available on our website. Learn more.

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Referral Information

How do I make a referral to the Psychiatric Crisis Department?

Call the Nationwide Children’s Physician Direct Connect Line at (614) 355-0221 or toll free at (877) 355-0221.

Will I be contacted if my patient is seen in the Psychiatric Crisis Department?

You will not receive a phone call from the Psychiatric Crisis Department if one of your patients is seen.

How can my staff and I contact the Psychiatric Crisis Department if we have questions?

Physician Direct Connect Line will continue to facilitate this process.

Is financial assistance available?

No child will be denied care due to inability to pay for services. There are many programs that Nationwide Children’s offers to help provide financial assistance. We accept most insurance plans, including Medicaid. For all other patients, Nationwide Children’s has a sliding fee scale. Learn More.

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