This indicator is presented as a proportion of all mental health emergency visits. 

A visit is counted as a repeat visit if it is for either a mental health or substance abuse condition and occurs within 30 days of an ‘index’ visit (first visit) for a mental health condition.

The ‘index’ visit must be for a mental health condition; however, the repeat visit can be for any diagnosis within ICD-10-CA Chapter 5 (i.e., either a mental health OR substance abuse condition).

To avoid under-counting of qualified repeat visit pairs, the calculation includes the reporting fiscal period plus an additional 30 days. In order to provide more timely results, the time period for the calculation has shifted. The indicator considers index visits occurring within the last 30 days of the previous quarter and the first 60 days of the reporting quarter. Repeat visits can occur within the reporting quarter or within the last 30 days of the previous quarter.

Inclusions:

• Information on unscheduled emergency visits to Ontario hospitals for mental health or substance abuse conditions, defined by the main problem diagnosis (MPDX) in ICD-10-CA Chapter 5.

• The diagnostic categories refer to the main problem diagnosis for the ‘index’ visit.

• All ICD-10-CA codes beginning with ‘F’.

Exclusions:

• Visits for those without a valid health card number.

• Visits for those without a valid registration date.

Inclusions:

•  Information on unscheduled emergency visits to Ontario hospitals for mental health conditions defined by the MPDX in ICD-10-CA Chapter 5.

• The diagnostic categories refer to the visits’ main problem.

• All ICD-10-CA codes beginning with ‘F’, excluding Substance Abuse (F10-F19).

Exclusions:

• Visits for those without a valid health card number.

• Visits for those without a valid registration date.