Closing of a psychiatric intensive care unit: a manifestation of lost values.
OBJECTIVE
A psychiatric intensive care unit shown to be of value to patients and staff was closed within a year, ostensibly for economic reasons.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the usefulness of psychiatric intensive care units, and the importance of thinking through the ramifications of downsizing


METHODS
A case study of a psychiatric ICU in Northern Ontario, Canada and a review of the literature.


CONCLUSIONS
When downsizing is considered, a careful examination of values must take place, remembering patient care comes first.
Montgomery
P
P
School of Nursing, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
Johnson
B
B
D003363:Cost Control; D006271:Health Facility Closure; D006754:Hospital Restructuring; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing