title: The psychiatric intensive care unit.
abstract: The first three and a half years' operation of a psychiatric intensive care unit, based on the general hospital model, is described. This eight-bedded ward focusses on the treatment of the most acutely psychiatrically ill patients, and not on the forensic or custodial aspects of such units previously described. It has gained general acceptance within the setting of a state psychiatric hospital, and has received 1132 admissions since its inception. Demographic, clinical, and treatment data are presented and the advantages and disadvantages of the unit are discussed.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Goldney
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bowes
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Spence
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Czechowicz
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hurley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000341:Affective Disorders, Psychotic / Q000628:therapy; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001315:Australia; D003422:Critical Care; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D006220:Haloperidol