The psychiatric short procedure unit: a cost-saving innovation.
Dr. Sharfstein's Introduction: As the rules of reimbursement are being rewritten, it is important that psychiatrists create clinical innovations that make sense from both an economic and a quality-of-care perspective. The psychiatric short procedure unit is such an innovation. As described by the authors of this month's column, it also conceptualizes a new role for the psychiatric emergency service. The short procedure unit not only provides relief for the financial troubles of the psychiatric emergency service but also promises to be a cost-effective option to 24-hour inpatient hospital care.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003363:Cost Control / Q000639:trends; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000191:economics; D004637:Emergency Services, Psychiatric / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics*; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000191:economics*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000628:therapy; D014481:United States