This book describes a spectrum of possible solutions to providing comprehensive emergency psychiatric care. It discusses in detail all components of emergency psychiatric care, such as triage, security, management of suicide risk, violent patients, interdisciplinary treatment teams, administration, and telepsychiatry. It has been written by and is of interest to psychiatrists, emergency medicine physicians, nurses, social workers, administrators, the police and security staff.

Mary Jo Fitz-Gerald, MD, MBA, DLFAPA, FACLP, FACP is a Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Louisiana State University Health Shreveport in Shreveport, Louisiana. Clinically, she is the Director of the Psychiatry Inpatient Service and Geriatric Services at Ochsner Louisiana State University Health Shreveport Hospital. Dr. Fitz-Gerald is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and has Added Qualifications in Addiction, Geriatric and Consultation Liaison Psychiatry. Dr. Fitz-Gerald is currently serving as the Speaker-Elect of the American Psychiatric Association. She is a past residency training director, and previously served as the Director of the Consultation/Liaison and Emergency Psychiatry Services. Dr. Fitz-Gerald has won numerous teaching awards for her endeavors. She previously served as a Co-Chair of the Academy of Consultation Liaison Psychiatry Emergency Psychiatry Special Interest Group.

Junji Takeshita, MD, DFAPA, FACLP is a Professor of Psychiatry at the John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is the Associate Chair for Clinical Services, the Vice Chief of Medical Staff at The Queen's Medical Center, and the Director of Psychiatry Medical Education and Patient Care Services for Emergency and Consultation/Liaison Psychiatry. In addition, he is the Geriatric Psychiatry Program Director. Dr. Takeshita is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and has Added Qualifications in Geriatric Psychiatry. He serves on the Scientific Committee for the National Update on Behavioral Emergencies and previously co-chaired the Business of Psychosomatic Medicine Subcommittee for the Academy of Consultation Liaison Psychiatry. Dr. Takeshita is a member of the American Psychiatric Association, Committee on RBRVS, Codes and Reimbursements.