Case Study Supporting the Return of Long Term Psychiatric Institutions for Patients with Severe Persistent Mental Illness

Aimua Fa

doi:10.18875/2375-7043.5.206

Abstract

There has been a surge of greater than 30% in the rate of inpatient psychiatric readmissions amongst patients with severe mental illness following the era of deinstitutionalization and co-morbid medical illness has been found to be a consistent factor amongst this subset of patients. Hospital psychiatrists often see these patients revolve in and out of the hospital, a phenomena known to negatively impact their quality of life. Having a highly structured 24-hour long term psychiatric institutions is a much needed resource for patients with severe mental illness who are unable to take care of self.

Highlights

The rate of inpatient psychiatric readmissions has increased dramatically following the era of deinstitutionalization
The aim of this article is to contribute to the debate of reviving long term psychiatric institutions from the point of view of a hospital psychiatrist
Patients with milder form of mental disorders benefited the most leaving the minority of patients with severe chronically mentally ill, vulnerable [6]. This subset of severe mentally ill patients are unable to care for self independently and often requires 24-hour care in a highly structured long term psychiatric facility to ensure continued psychiatric stabilization and access to medical and surgical care as needed [7]

Summary

Introduction

The rate of inpatient psychiatric readmissions has increased dramatically following the era of deinstitutionalization. This phenomenon has been described extensively in literature and several studies have shown a 30% to 40 % rate of readmissions within six months post discharge amongst patients with severe persistent mental illness [1]. Medical comorbidities have been shown to be quite common amongst patients with frequent psychiatric readmissions than in patients with single admission [3]. Hospital psychiatrists often see patients with severe persistent mental illness, comorbid with multiple medical illnesses revolve in and out of the hospital which leaves one with a sense of frustration and helplessness. The aim of this article is to contribute to the debate of reviving long term psychiatric institutions from the point of view of a hospital psychiatrist

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Conclusion