title: Decision tree for the management of substance-abusing psychiatric patients.
abstract: This paper describes a short-term approach developed at a time of numerous drug-related incidents occurring at a large VA Hospital to help staff manage psychiatric patients abusing alcohol or drugs during hospitalization. This was accomplished through the development of a decision tree designed to improve the clinical problem-solving process by identifying key decision points. Prior to this, staff responded emotionally either by prematurely discharging patients or by not recognizing the problem at all. Decision Trees have widespread applicability for resolving complex clinical problems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Bronx VA Medical Center, New York 10468.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Intrator
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Allan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Palmer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D003663:Decision Trees; D006760:Hospitalization; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D010351:Patient Discharge; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*