[The legal position of psycho-geriatric patients in nursing homes and residential homes].
Recently the Law on Formal Admission to Psychiatric Hospitals was evaluated for the second time. This law aims to protect the legal position of psychiatric patients, who have been involuntarily admitted. This patient group includes psycho-geriatric patients who are admitted to residential and nursing homes for which this is indicated. In this article the part of the evaluation concerning the internal legal position of psycho-geriatric patients is reported. This part of the study investigated both the knowledge of the law in practice and its correct application, as well as the suitability of the law for this domain of health care. The conclusion can be drawn that residential and nursing homes are aware of the laws purposes, but health care practitioners find it hard to follow certain aspects of the law's procedures, especially regarding the use of restraints. The main reason for this is that the Formal Admission Law was designed for a psychiatric setting, which cannot easily be translated to the position of psycho-geriatric patients. The suggestion is made that the Government will develop new legislation, which reflects special characteristics of psycho-geriatric care. Meanwhile health institutions have to take measures in order to improve the legal position of patients in this sector.
Instituut Beleid en Management Gezondheidszorg, Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam, Postbus 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam. l.arends@bmg.eur.nl
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Arends
D000368:Aged; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D005852:Geriatric Psychiatry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012149:Restraint, Physical / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence