Quote:
Originally Posted by Speed3
The psych unit I go to will not allow you to be admitted on that unit if you need any kind of IV or tube feeding. For that matter most physical ailments can't be in an acute state.
I receive excellent care there which includes, Medication management( which could be a med chg or not), group therapy, art therapy, music therapy, each shift you have a contact person you can talk to about anything, Psyc nursing care, a social worker and more. This unit has private rooms, which is great for rest and reflection. Some of the best help comes from the other patients.
Because of the nature of my individual illness, over the last 13 years I have been there multiple times. Some of the most compassionate people I have ever met have been here.
The criteria with my insurance for inpatient treatment is basically a danger to yourself or others. For me it has been either a suicide attempt or suicidal feelings with an actual plan.
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That has been my experience. The hospital I use is an acute care, crisis stabilization unit where most patients stay, on average, about 4 days. My shortest stay was 3 days; my longest was 3 weeks. Patients enter there for a variety of reasons but all are in need of immediate intervention and care.
The security is pretty tight since it is a dual diagnosis unit, so all belongings are checked carefully. You are not allowed electronic devises, clothing with strings, shoelaces, belts, glass containers, alcohol-containing self-care products, wire-bound notebooks, etc. All safety precautions. The rooms are not fancy, but are clean and safe. You are supervised constantly; they log where you are and what you are doing every ten minutes. Patients who are truly a threat to themselves even on the unit are supervised one-to-one at all times until the doctor feels they are safe (that may last a few hours to a few days depending on the patient). Food is decent, perhaps a step better than most hospital fare.
Groups are held every hour throughout the day: one process group, the rest are skills or educational groups. You see your pdoc every single day. You meet with your social worker every couple of days. A nurse meets with your at every shift. Your sleep patterns, food intake, activities, etc. are noted and monitored as they are indicators of your condition and readiness for discharge. You are assigned a nurse who dispenses your meds; she/he is your go-to person for whatever you may need help with.
Most importantly, the staff is amazingly supportive and kind and funny. I've used this hospital many times in the past 8 years, and while there are always a few new faces, many of the same nurses and psych techs and most of the pdocs are exactly the same people who were there the first time I was admitted. They remember me immediately and are always so kind.