A COMPREHENSIVE HOSPITAL-COMMUNITY SERVICE IN A STATE HOSPITAL
ROBERT C. HUNT M.D.1,
ERNEST M. GRUENBERG M.D.2,
EMANUEL HACKEN M.D.1, , and
MATTHEW HUXLEY 2
1 Senior Director and Supervising Psychiatrist, Hudson River State Hospital, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
2 Technical Staff, Milbank Memorial Fund, N. Y.
A newly organized, 550 bed hospital, rendering comprehensive, psychiatric care (day hospital, night hospital, post-hospital, pre-hospital and consultation) to residents of Dutchess County, N. Y., has been created within the 5,400 bed Hudson River State Hospital. This is designed to give continuity through close integration of a wide variety of treatment services. Early experiences with the project are reported.
Evaluation studies are testing the hypothesis that this type of service will reduce the frequency and severity of disability associated with mental illness, as measured by rates of admission, institutionalization, and deterioration.
