A Point Prevalence Study of Outpatients and Inpatients in the Mental Health Services, General Hospital Psychiatric Units, and under Private Psychiatrists in Perth, Western Australia

1977 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. W. Burvill ◽  
R. A. Finlay-Jones
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
General Hospital ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Point Prevalence ◽  
Prevalence Study ◽  
Short Stay ◽  
Point Prevalence Study ◽  
Psychiatric Units

A one day point prevalence study of all inpatients and a one week point prevalence study of all outpatients seen by psychiatrists in Perth, Western Australia, was conducted. On the census day in July 1971, 61 per cent of all psychiatric inpatients in Perth were long-stay patients. Of the short-stay patients 75 per cent were in Mental Health Services hospitals, 17 per cent were in general hospital psychiatric units and 8 per cent were under private psychiatrists. The bed occupancy rate was 129.7 per 100,000 population for the whole State—83.2 longstay and 46.5 short-stay. These rates were low compared with published figures in other countries. The proportions of total outpatients seen during the census week by the Mental Health Services, general hospital units and private psychiatrists were 53.5 per cent, 16.0 per cent and 30.5 per cent respectively. There was a differential use of psychiatric services between immigrants and Australian-born outpatients.

Planning Mental Health Services: I. Background and Key Issues*

1992 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 199-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald Wasylenki ◽  
Paula Goering ◽  
Eric Macnaughton
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
General Hospital ◽  
Health Planning ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Psychiatric Hospitals ◽  
Co Morbidity ◽  
Psychiatric Units ◽  
Key Issues

Planning mental health services is a complex task requiring an understanding of background developments and key issues related to mental health services. In Canada, the deinstitutionalization of patients attempted to shift the locus of care from provincial psychiatric hospitals to general hospital psychiatric units. This resulted in the isolation of provincial psychiatric hospitals, general hospital psychiatric units and community mental health programs, with little overall accountability for the services provided — three solitudes. To move toward the creation of responsible, integrated systems a number of issues must be addressed: target population(s); the roles of provincial psychiatric and general hospitals; community support services; continuity of care; co-morbidity; consumerism; and methods of integration. In the development of a comprehensive mental health plan, each issue should be recognized and decisions made which are in keeping with current knowledge. A companion report will survey Canadian initiatives in mental health planning and discuss approaches to many of the issues identified.

scholarly journals Community mental health services in Malaysia

1992 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. 648-650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohd. Razali Salleh
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Community Mental Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
General Hospital ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Community Mental Health Services ◽  
Psychiatric Units

The need to confine and restrain psychotic patients at the turn of the last century saw the building of a few large asylums which soon became overcrowded with the growth of the population. These asylums were the only service available to the mentally ill until 1959 when the trend to decentralise began with the building of general hospital psychiatric units.

Integrating Mental Health Services into a General Hospital in Puerto Rico

2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 294-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Jiménez ◽  
D. Rivera ◽  
P. Benítez ◽  
H. Tarrats ◽  
A. Ramos
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
General Hospital

Point prevalence of schizophrenia in immigrant groups in Rotterdam: data from outpatient facilities

2001 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 162-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.C. Schrier ◽  
B.J.M. van de Wetering ◽  
P.G.H. Mulder ◽  
J.P. Selten
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Hospital Admission ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Point Prevalence ◽  
Outpatient Mental Health ◽  
Netherlands Antilles ◽  
Female Immigrants

SummaryObjectiveReports of an increased incidence of schizophrenia in some immigrant groups to The Netherlands are based exclusively on hospital data. The aims of our study were: 1) to determine the treated point prevalence of schizophrenia at outpatient mental health services in Rotterdam and to compare the results for immigrants to those for natives; and 2) to compare groups born in The Netherlands and immigrant groups in terms of the proportions of patients with a previous hospital admission.MethodWe included all patients aged between 20 and 64 who were treated for a non-affective psychosis at any of the outpatient mental health services in Rotterdam on October 1, 1994. The mental health professionals responsible reported on the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of each patient.ResultsSeven hundred and thirteen patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia (DSM-III-R) were identified (rate: 2.1 per 1000). The (treated) prevalence of schizophrenia in male immigrants from Surinam and Morocco and in female immigrants from Surinam, the Netherlands Antilles and Cape Verde was significantly higher than that in their native-born counterparts (odds ratios between 2 and 3). The (treated) prevalence was not significantly higher in immigrants from Turkey, female immigrants from Morocco or male immigrants from the Antilles. Proportions of patients with a previous hospital admission were similar in each ethnic group (81–93%).ConclusionThese findings are generally in line with earlier studies, based on the Dutch psychiatric registry, which has reported an increase in the (treated) incidence of schizophrenia in immigrants from Surinam and the Netherlands Antilles and in male immigrants from Morocco, and no increase in the (treated) incidence in immigrants from Turkey or female immigrants from Morocco.

A Twelve Month Follow-Up Study of Psychogeriatric Admissions to Mental Health Services and Geriatric Service Hospitals

1970 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 131-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. W. Burvill
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Public Health Department ◽  
Home Setting ◽  
Geriatric Service ◽  
Psychogeriatric Patients

Eighty-five (100 per cent) consecutive psychogeriatric patients admitted to the Public Health Department Geriatric Service of Western Australia and eighty (94 per cent) of the original 85 psychogeriatric patients admitted to the Mental Health Services of Western Australia were re-examined by the author 12 months after admission. Twenty-five Geriatric Service patients had died, 19 were alive in the community, and 41 alive in hospital; the corresponding Mental Health Services figures were 15, 33 and 32. Differences in movement pattern and outcome between the two services, and between mental hospital admissions in the United Kingdom and Western Australia, were documented. There was a considerable number of repeated transfers from one hospital or nursing home setting to another during the 12 months among those patients living in hospital at follow-up, and to a less extent among those who died. Outcome of the patients was related to a number of factors for each service.

A point prevalence study of the use of psychotropic medication in an acute general hospital

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 967-975 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Brunero ◽  
Anne P. F. Wand ◽  
Scott Lamont ◽  
Lisa John
Keyword(s):  
General Hospital ◽  
Psychotropic Medication ◽  
Mood Stabilizer ◽  
Psychotropic Medications ◽  
Point Prevalence ◽  
Prevalence Study ◽  
Point Prevalence Study ◽  
Off Label ◽  
Hospital Wards

ABSTRACTBackground:There are high rates of cognitive problems and organic and functional psychiatric disorders in patients admitted to general hospital wards, which may necessitate the use of psychotropic medications. There is evidence of over-prescription of medications such as antipsychotics and antidepressants in community settings such as residential care. However, the prevalence of psychotropic use in general hospitals is unknown.Methods:A point prevalence study of the use of psychotropic medications in an acute general hospital was conducted by auditing medication charts for type, dose, indication, and other clinical processes associated with their use.Results:The files of 197 patients were audited, 139 (70%) were aged 65 years and over. Eighty-nine (45%) of patients were prescribed a psychotropic, with 35 (17.7%) antidepressants; 21 (11%) antipsychotics; 19 (10%) benzodiazepines; six (3%) mood stabilizer; five (2%) cholinesterase inhibitors; one (0.5%) anti-parkinsonian medication, and one (1%) patient on zolpidem and another patient melatonin (1%). Most prescriptions (72%) were in people 65 years and over and 27 (20%) of indications were found to be off label prescribing. There were deficits in the documentation of indications for the use of psychotropic medications and follow up arrangements.Conclusions:Rates of benzodiazepines use were less than that reported incomparable settings. Concerns regarding off label prescribing, under-dosing, and lack of adequate documentation of indications and follow-up instructions were raised. Given the potential adverse effects of psychotropic medication, improved governance, and education regarding their use is required.

Improving access to acute mental health services in a general hospital

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Kowal ◽  
J. Robert Swenson ◽  
Tim D. Aubry ◽  
Hannah Davis Marchand ◽  
Colleen MacPhee
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
General Hospital

scholarly journals A Short History of Managing Problematic Users of Alcohol in Western Australia by Mental Health Services

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-84
Author(s):  
Greg Swensen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Public Information ◽  
Health Agency ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Specialist Service

Abstract. Aims: This paper examines the role that mental health services (MHS) performed in the management and provision of medical care and treatment of problematic users of alcohol in Western Australia (WA) over the period since 1900. Methods: The research involved an examination of legislative enactments and regulations, records of parliamentary debates in Hansard, administrative records in the State Records Office, and other sources of public information, such as departmental annual reports, reviews of services, studies and newspapers. Results: This research identified three eras of policy involving problematic users. The first, from 1900 to the mid 1970s, focussed on controls in inebriates and lunacy legislation to create a regime of civil commitment, designed to confine and compel ‘inebriates’, as well as ‘convicted inebriates,’ to ‘dry out’ and rehabilitate. The second, between 1975 and the late 1990s, involved the creation of a state-wide system of specialist service providers to provide treatment and recovery for problematic users. The system involved a spectrum of services that included a detoxification hospital, outpatient clinics and community-based regional services established and operated by a statutory public health agency, the Alcohol and Drug Authority (ADA). The third era, which commenced in the late 1990s, involved the transfer of all community-based services from the ADA to ‘not-for-profit’ non-government organisations (NGOs). The end result of this devolution was the ADA retained only a limited treatment role, as the operator of the inpatient detoxification facility. The balance of its functions were redefined in relation to the prevention of the use of alcohol and other drugs, primarily through support of mass public education programs, as well as oversight of funded NGO programs. The paper concludes with a consideration of a recent major development which involved administrative and legislative actions in 2015 to abolish the statutory body which had operated since 1975 and transfer administrative responsibility for drug and alcohol services into the Mental Health Commission.

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