Health Service Integration in Oregon School-Based Health Centers: Meeting the Mental Health Needs of Young People

School-based health centers (SBHCs) break down traditional barriers encountered by young people in the healthcare system. Along with physical health services, all of Oregon's SBHCs provide some level of mental health services. As more evidence reveals the connection between mental and physical health, integrated care systems that improve health outcomes for those with mental health concerns become increasingly important. Oregon's SBHCs have varying levels of ability to address physical and mental health service integration, based on community resources and logistical limitations. Using data from an assessment of Oregon's SBHC mental health system, this article offers recommendations for how more integrated services in an SBHC can help fill gaps to better meet young people's mental health needs in Oregon.     

Frequency of perinatal transfer by day of the week and holidays

Objective: To describe the pattern of obstetric transfers to a rural tertiary center relative to weekends and holidays. Methods: A 2-year retrospective cohort study. Results: A total of 903 patients were received in transfer over the study period. Tuesday was the most frequent day (17.4%) for transfer and Sunday was the least frequent day (9.2%). Friday was the most frequent day for transfer of patients who did not deliver (18.6%) and Sunday the least frequent day for transfer (7.6%). Subset analysis by delivery status found no statistical difference in the frequency of transfer by delivery status and day of the week (p = 0.28). Tuesday had the highest mean at 1.51 ± 1.13 and Sunday had the lowest mean at 0.8 ± 0.89. No difference in transfer volume by day of the week was observed by ANOVA (p = 0.25). The number of transfers occurring around the 7 days surrounding the six major holidays averaged 7.67 ± 3.63, which did not differ significantly from the weekly average of 8.59 ± 2.74 (p = 0.29). Conclusion: There is no apparent bias to transfer of patients based on the day of the week or holidays. Individual assessment by regional centers may assist in planning for staffing of transport services and resources.