[7-year-follow-up investigations and comparison of the geriatric psychiatric inpatient service in a separated care at a state hospital (obligatory service) and an integrated care at a university hospital in Goettingen, Germany -- II. Diagnosis and treatment].
OBJECTIVE
By use of a 7-y-follow-up investigation of differences between geriatric psychiatric patients and their management in an integrated (with other adult age groups) care in the University Psychiatric Hospital (PUK) compared to those in a separated (only according to age) care in the Psychiatric State Hospital (LKH), which together treat all psychiatric inpatients in Goettingen, Germany, we wanted to show, whether progress can be made visible.


METHODS
We performed standardized chart reviews of randomly selected groups of patients, who had been treated in the PUK (n = 104) and the LKH (n = 100) in the years 1998 and 1999.


RESULTS
Again, organic brain diseases/dementia was the most frequent diagnosis in the LKH and depression that of the PUK. Less diagnostics were applied compared to the previous investigation, especially neuroimaging. Non-drug treatments are (documented) more frequently now in the LKH. Both institutions - data with respect to frequent syndromes are given - treated the wide majority of patients with psychoactive drugs, especially neuroleptics, typical antidepressants, benzodiazepines. Antidementia drugs were given significantly less. Hospital stays decrease in length. Compared to the respective investigation in Magdeburg there is some evidence supporting specialized care for the elderly.


CONCLUSIONS
Budgetary restrictions could also be shown in inpatient treatment. Progress in specific drug treatment does not reach the patients as much as necessary.
Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik Basel. gabriela.stoppe@pukbasel.ch
Gabriela
G
Stoppe
André
A
Otto
Manfred
M
Koller
Jürgen
J
Staedt
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006783:Hospitals, State; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010343:Patient Admission; D012189:Retrospective Studies