Factors that Determine a Psychiatric Admission: Role of the Psychiatrist

Abstract

The decision to hospitalize a patient exhibiting signs of psychiatric distress is made as a last resort after outpatient management has failed. In this article, we discuss the psychiatric signs, symptoms, and imminent risk factors that necessitate inpatient hospitalization. Types of self-harm, suicidal and nonsuicidal presentations, agitation, psychosis, and secondary gain are discussed. Particular attention is paid to tools used to stratify the level of risk to determine the best possible treatment outcome. [ Psychiatr Ann. 2018;48(1):36–41.]