What should be done for unstable psychiatric patients during transport?

Transporting unstable psychiatric patients to the closest appropriate emergency department is essential for their safety and the safety of others. This choice ensures that the patient receives immediate medical attention from professionals equipped to manage psychiatric emergencies. Emergency departments have the necessary resources and personnel trained to address acute psychiatric conditions, including potentially volatile behavior or crises.

Taking patients to their hospital of choice can lead to delays in receiving critical care, especially if that facility is not immediately accessible or capable of providing the necessary support for psychiatric emergencies. Restricting unstable patients to their homes is not appropriate, as this could pose serious risks to the individual and those around them. Providing medication during transport is also not commonly advisable unless specifically directed by a medical provider, as it requires careful monitoring and is often beyond the scope of emergency personnel's authority during transport. This underscores the importance of ensuring that unstable psychiatric patients receive professional evaluation and intervention as promptly as possible.