A new study reveals that Tennessee has the seventh longest emergency room wait times for mental health patients in the United States.
The research by personal injury law firm H&P Law analyzed national emergency department data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), measuring the median time from a mental health patient’s arrival to their departure. States were ranked based on the average wait times reported by hospitals, excluding cases where patients died, left without provider approval, or lacked a documented discharge destination.
Tennessee, at seventh, reported an average emergency wait time of 351.8 minutes. The Volunteer State stands 31.9% higher than the national average of 266.8 minutes.
Looking at the study, a spokesperson at H&P Law commented:
“This analysis draws attention to the critical delays mental health patients face in emergency departments, particularly in Tennessee, where the wait times are alarmingly high.”
“Prolonged wait times not only worsen patients’ mental health crises but can also lead to unsafe outcomes for both patients and healthcare providers in the state.”
“Addressing these wait times in Tennessee requires increased mental health staffing, dedicated psychiatric emergency services, and streamlined admission processes.”
Table of Extended Results:
| Top 10 U.S. States With the Longest Mental Patient Waiting Time | ||
| State | Average Mental Patient Waiting Time (Minutes) | Rank |
| Rhode Island | 444.5 | 1 |
| Delaware | 410.8 | 2 |
| Vermont | 399.3 | 3 |
| Maryland | 399 | 4 |
| Massachusetts | 355.2 | 5 |
| Maine | 355 | 6 |
| Tennessee | 351.8 | 7 |
| Illinois | 334.4 | 8 |
| North Carolina | 320.4 | 9 |
| Georgia | 318.4 | 10 |
The study was conducted by H&P Law, an experienced personal injury law firm dedicated to protecting clients’ rights and maximizing claim value.