Crisis Hospitalization Within a Psychiatric Emergency Service
MARK W. RHINE M.D.1, and
PETER MAYERSON M.D.2
1 Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Director, Emergency Psychiatric Service, Colorado General Hospital, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 4200 E. Ninth Ave., Denver, Colo. 80220
2 Clinical Instructor of Psychiatry, private practice in Denver, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 4200 E. Ninth Ave., Denver, Colo. 80220
The authors describe the expansion of an emergency psychiatric service to include the use of short-term hospitalization as an integral part of crisis therapy. Experience during the first year of operation, when 200 patients were treated, is summarized. The authors believe that a small hospital unit, integrated within an emergency psychiatric service, can greatly enhance the scope and efficacy of crisis intervention.
