title: Psychiatric assessment wards for older adults: a qualitative evaluation of two ward models.
abstract: This study was requested to investigate the relative strengths of two different ward arrangements. Both wards were psychiatric assessment wards for people over the age of 65 and both were mixed sex wards. The major focus was to examine if the separation of cognitively impaired (CI) and functional clients on an elderly assessment ward had benefits in terms of client and staff satisfaction. The study involved 192 hours of observation, following four clients on each ward for 24-hours. Results indicate that the split ward and the mixed ward differ qualitatively and that in terms of user and staff satisfaction the split model is preferable. Implications for service development and future research are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Lancashire Clinical Psychology Course, 156 Whitegate Drive, Lancashire, FY3 9HG, UK.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Craig
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lee-Jones
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hatton
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010346:Patient Care Management / Q000379:methods; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006113:United Kingdom