PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — An Oregon-led study found that kids who struggle with mental health are being held in emergency rooms for longer than they should be.

Out of 255,000 visits, researchers at Oregon Health and Science University have discovered that more than one in 10 Medicaid-enrolled children who visit hospital emergency departments for mental-health-related reasons are ultimately held there for three to seven days.

John McConnell, director of OHSU’s Center for Health Systems Effectiveness, claimed impacted youth would not have to be boarded in emergency facilities “in a perfect world” — but it often happens due to the lack of acute care beds in hospitals.

“If you’re a parent and your child is having a crisis, you may go to the emergency department and then ideally find a more su

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