Pediatric mental health boarding has seen a notable increase in length and frequency, as recent studies highlight variability in hospital practices and the impact on patient care.
Trends in Pediatric Mental Health Boarding
Boarding for pediatric mental health conditions is becoming increasingly prevalent across US hospitals. Recent data analysis from forty tertiary children's hospitals has revealed a substantial increase in the occurrence and duration of these boarding instances. According to a study led by Kathleen D. Snow and her colleagues, both the number of boarding encounters and their length have significantly surged. Specifically, between 2017 and 2023, there have been 100,784 recorded boarding encounters, with the median length of stay rising from three to four days.
"Boarding practices varied significantly by hospital site" (Snow & Hudgins, 2025).
The comprehensive data collection across different hospitals provides a reliable overview of these trends over time. The implications of these findings are critical, as they highlight an urgent need for healthcare systems to reconsider current practices and improve patient management protocols.
Factors Contributing to Prolonged Boarding
Identifying the factors that contribute to extended boarding times is essential to developing effective strategies aimed at reducing wait times for psychiatric care. The study indicates several influential factors, such as patient age, type of insurance, medical complexity, and seasonal changes, which significantly impact the length of boarding.
"Patients with medical and/or psychiatric complexity may be more likely to experience prolonged boarding" (Snow & Hudgins, 2025).
A notable observation is that older children, those covered by government insurance, or patients with complex medical needs are more prone to lengthier stays. Furthermore, certain psychiatric disorders and seasonal patterns were identified as contributing factors. Notably, 0.3% of children had stays exceeding 100 days, highlighting the extreme end of this boarding issue.