Institute:Office of National Coordinator (ONC) Workforce Training Curriculum
Component:Introduction to Health Care and Public Health in the U.S.
Unit:Delivering Health Care - Part 1
Lecture:Long-term Care Facilities
Slide content:Psychiatric Hospitals Psychiatric care has evolved Hospitalization is voluntary in most cases Many types of care exist Open units Crisis stabilization units Medium-term units Juvenile wards Long term care psychiatric hospitals Some psychiatric hospitals specialize in certain illnesses or addictions 25
Slide notes:Psychiatric care has come a long way from the days of the insane asylum. Most important is that patients can no longer be institutionalized without their consent unless they are a clear danger to themselves or others. There are many types of psychiatric hospitals. Open units provide treatment for patients without severe illness, where the goal is eventual discharge. A crisis stabilization unit is like an emergency room for psychiatric patients, where violent or suicidal persons are treated. Hospitalization is enforced by court order if necessary. Medium-term units provide psychiatric care for several weeks while the patient is monitored for response to medications. Children and adolescents may be treated in psychiatric hospitals dedicated to pediatrics, or in juvenile wards of a psychiatric hospital. Long-term care psychiatric hospitals provide mental health care for years, if necessary. A high level of security is generally provided to safeguard patients. Some institutions also specialize in certain illnesses, such as schizophrenia. 25