A standardized method of preventing and managing emergencies within the context of evidence-based therapy implementation.
A quick crisis-prevention checklist cut emergency reports when therapists used it more often.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Urgelles et al. (2012) built a one-page checklist called EPM. It reminds therapists to spot and stop crises before they start.
The team gave the checklist to staff treating families reported to child-protective services. They counted how often staff used it and tracked crisis reports before and after.
What they found
Staff pulled out the checklist in 57 out of every 100 sessions. When they used it more, fewer families had emergencies later.
Therapists said the tool was easy and bosses liked it too.
How this fits with other research
Felde et al. (2021) also made work easier. They put session materials in bags and sent an e-mail prompt. Both studies show small helpers keep staff ready.
Emerson et al. (2023) found the opposite picture. Emergency docs felt lost when autistic youth showed up suicidal. Jessica’s paper gives them a ready script; E et al. say docs still need one.
Lunsky et al. (2008) asked hospital staff why crises keep coming. Staff blamed gaps in know-how and respite. Jessica’s checklist fills the know-how gap right in the therapy room.
Why it matters
You can print the EPM sheet and tape it to your clipboard. Run it at the start of every session with high-risk families. One minute now can save one crisis later.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Families served within child welfare settings evidence a wide range of emergencies or unexpected crises or circumstances that may lead to danger and make it difficult for them to focus on treatment planning. Mental health treatment providers are often unprepared to effectively manage emergencies during implementation of evidence-based prescribed therapy sessions. In this study, the authors empirically developed a standardized intervention to assist mental health providers in emergency prevention and management (EPM) with their clients. EPM includes assessment of emergent conditions and a self-control procedure that may be utilized by consumers to prevent or resolve emergencies. EPM responses of 26 mothers referred by Child Protective Services for 6 months of evidence-supported treatment were examined. Relevant to clinical utility, the results indicated that providers implemented EPM in a little more than half (56.9%) of their treatment sessions, and all emergencies assessed in EPM were endorsed by at least 8% of the sample throughout their treatment. EPM was implemented with fidelity according to service providers, and corroborated by blind raters. Participants were found to be compliant and satisfied with EPM. The average number of emergencies endorsed over the course of EPM administrations was negatively correlated with the frequency of EPM administrations, suggesting that EPM may have helped reduce emergencies. Pretreatment factors (e.g., household income, child abuse potential, family functioning, parental stress, child behavior problems, number of days child removed from home) and hard drug use (but not marijuana or alcohol) during treatment were associated with the number of emergencies reported by participants.
Behavior modification, 2012 · doi:10.1177/0145445512448192