Analyzes the interaction between psychiatric services in public general hospitals and in other institutional settings. A one-day census of patients in a New York general hospital showed the hospital was providing care to a large number of patients in need of other, less intensive institutional settings. (BH)

Study indicated that, although well-integrated comprehensive community mental health system (CMHS) dramatically reduces utilization of long-stay inpatient beds compared to traditional health care systems, it does not banish appearance of "new chronic" patients from a catchment area. CMHS new chronic patients were younger, mostly male,…

Reviews literature evaluating appropriateness of Medicare's prospective payment system (PPS) through Diagnostic-Related Groups (DRGs), since its implementation in 1983, for psychiatric care. Cites shortcomings that make the system untenable for mental health care, including lack of homogeneity of DRGs, inability to predict length of stay, and…

The term "organization development" (OD) encompasses techniques developed to facilitate communication and collaborative problem solving in work groups. This discussion focuses on defining OD, describing its current use in mental health and human service organizations, and assessing potential payoffs and disadvantages of implementing OD programs in…

Discusses provision of quality psychiatric treatment and determination of appropriate therapeutic restrictiveness for each recipient. Describes the Anna Mental Health and Development Center's prevention strategy for unauthorized recipient absences and its systematic plan for responding to unauthorized absences. Outlines the function and…

The strongest correlation between number of visits and treatment outcome was for the long-term personality clinic and the short-term crisis and adolescent clinics. The outcome of treatment for a borderline disorder cannot be compared to that of a patient with acute situational anxiety. (JAC)

Suggests that in the past 20 years major shifts in federal government policies have taken place which have increased state control over mental health programs to the detriment of local communities. Identifies and discusses the major factors responsible for these changes. (Author/BH)

Examined the use of short-term isolation (STI) in a children's psychiatric hospital. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals quality assurance mode was used. Studied the quality use of STI and its documentation. Data gathered served as the basis for recommendations that led to planned, informed program changes. (Author)

This article briefly reviews the literature on matrix organizational designs and discusses the ways in which the matrix design might be applied to the special features of a community mental health center. The phases of one community mental health center's experience in adopting a matrix organizational structure are described. (Author)

This study sought to develop and test a method for predicting inpatient utilization in the New York State Department of Mental Hygiene. A Markov chain mathematical model was developed and tested ex post facto for its accuracy in prediction of inpatient workload by age groups for two successive fiscal years. (Author)

The Balanced Service System specifies functions required to eliminate mental disabilities and environments in which services can be provided. The model was tested in western Pennsylvania. Although the number of agencies serving the mentally ill doubled between 1960 and 1976, relative availability of each service component remained stable.…

Accurate assessment of the client's ability to pay is the cornerstone to fee collections in any service organization. York County Counseling Services implemented a new method of fee assessment and collection based on the principles of providing a service worth paying for, accurate assessment of ability to pay, and a budget-payment system. (Author)

Reviews the ethical issues related to involuntary psychiatric treatment, including the conflicts between the principles of beneficence, autonomy, and nonmaleficence with regard to involuntary treatment for the patient's interests versus those of society. Describes moral problems as centering around disagreements regarding the patient's…

Issues of changing positions and roles for paraprofessionals are considered in the context of the hierarchical structure and process of mental health organizations. Discussion focuses on problems arising when paraprofessionals are promoted in the functional hierarchy while continuing to occupy the lowest level in the professional caste system.…

This article describes highlights and findings of the 1977 National Conference in Mental Health Administration sponsored by The Staff College, National Institute of Mental Health. Over 100 invited experts from the mental health field were assembled to identify changes, trends, and developments most likely to influence mental health services in the…