ACUTE DAY HOSPITALIZATION AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO INPATIENT TREATMENT

Citation
V. Russell et al., ACUTE DAY HOSPITALIZATION AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO INPATIENT TREATMENT, Canadian journal of psychiatry, 41(10), 1996, pp. 629-637
Citations number
38
Categorie Soggetti
Psychiatry,Psychiatry
ISSN journal
07067437
Volume
41
Issue
10
Year of publication
1996
Pages
629 - 637
Database
ISI
SICI code
0706-7437(1996)41:10<629:ADHAAA>2.0.ZU;2-J
Abstract
Objective: This paper describes the administrative process by which th e Ottawa General Hospital (OGH) closed 6 beds and used the staff and s pace resources thus released to set up an acute day hospital (ADH) for the treatment of 8 acutely ill psychiatric patients. Outcome data are presented on the first 160 patients admitted to the ADH. Methods: Dem ographic and clinical information including diagnostic (DSM-III-R; Glo bal Assessment of Functioning [GAF]) and questionnaire data (Symptom C hecklist-90 Revised [SCL-90R], Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]; State- Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI]; patient satisfaction) were obtained fr om 160 ADH patients at admission and discharge. Forty-two of these pa tients provided follow-up data 3 to 6 months postdischarge. The outcom e of ADH patients was compared with that of a retrospectively obtained random sample (n = 100) of inpatients on selected diagnostic and demo graphic variables. Results: On clinician-rated and self-report clinica l scales, ADH patients showed significant clinical improvement reflect ed in higher GAF scores and less psychological distress, depression, a nd anxiety at discharge relative to admission. There were no significa nt group differences in outcome indices except for shorter length of s tay in the ADH group compared with inpatients. The ADH group rated the program highly in help received and quality of service. Short-term fo llow-up showed that gains made during treatment were maintained 3 to 6 months later. Conclusions: These results show that a time-limited day hospital program is clinically effective for acutely ill psychiatric patients and leads to a more efficient use of inpatient resources. We believe that partial hospitalization for the treatment of acute psychi atric disorders may have wide application in psychiatric hospital prac tice.