The patient pathway outcomes of a female psychiatric intensive care unit

Abstract

Background: Much of the literature on psychiatric intensive care units (PICU) examines either the treatment a patient receives or the unit's readmission rates. There is currently a lack of research into length of stay and patients' post-discharge outcomes or follow-up studies. Aims: This study explored the care pathway and patient outcomes six weeks post-discharge. Through examining patient care pathways, it was also possible to compare the length of stay at a female PICU against the Department of Health's guidance. Method: Patient data from internal records were gathered for patients who stayed at a South London PICU between October 2014 and March 2015; this equated to 50 female patient records. Results: At discharge, 86% of patients went to general acute treatment settings, 6% to home treatment teams, 4% to forensic services, 2% to a mother and baby unit and 2% to a private acute bed. At six weeks postdischarge 4% of patients had returned to the PICU, 52% were in the community, 36% were in acute treatment settings and 4% were absent without leave. Three patients exceeded the Department of Health's recommended maximum length of stay. Conclusions: The current care pathway appears to be successful in returning patients to the community within six weeks. Within the follow-up period over half of the patients had returned home, whilst a third were in general acute treatment settings.