title: Effects of new commitment laws on the mental health system.
abstract: Many state commitment laws have been changed recently in response to the controversy surrounding the use of involuntary admissions. The effects of these changes in one state is studied by examining admission patterns, voluntary and involuntary, to all state hospital. Though no change was found in demographic characteristics, several highly significant changes were found in utilization patterns and admission procedures.
mesh_terms: D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006783:Hospitals, State; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D009329:Nebraska; D010343:Patient Admission; D010359:Patient Readmission