title: [Intersection of acute psychiatric wards and sheltered housing - parameters of patients with long inpatient episodes].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper describes socio-demographic, clinical, and treatment-related parameters of psychiatric patients who were hospitalized for at least two months on an acute psychiatric ward compared to patients with a shorter inpatient treatment episode. Furthermore, it is evaluated how frequent these long-staying patients are awaiting a room in a sheltered housing facility.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated the longest inpatient treatment period of all patients aged between 18 and 65 years on an acute ward of the Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich (n = 3,928) using the basic documentation of the years 2006 to 2010.
  
  
  RESULTS
  20 % of all patients on acute wards had a stay of more than 60 days. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics are similar to those of "heavy users" of mental health services. Social work is involved more frequently, and placement in sheltered housing facilities is intended in one third of those patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A substantial part of the patients who stay at least once longer than two months on an acute ward are discharged to sheltered housing. Besides severity of illness it is likely that lack of availability of an adequate housing option contributes to length of stay. Intensified cooperation of the psychiatric clinic with sheltered housing facilities as well as alternative options for those in need of assisted housing and mental health care might help to reduce their extensive usage of inpatient treatment capacities. Interventions and services have to be adapted to local conditions.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik Zürich, Schweiz.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jäger
authors.forename: Anastasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Theodoridou
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hoff
authors.forename: Wulf
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Rössler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D040561:Assisted Living Facilities / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D017046:Cost Savings / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006208:Halfway Houses / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D006300:Health Services Misuse / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000191:economics; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013557:Switzerland; D055815:Young Adult