The physical environment needed for a psychiatric hospital is vastly different than a general hospital. The reason for this is that the two function completly differently.
In general hospitals the patient room is the primarially location of the patient receiving treatment. Medications, most types of treatment and food are brought to the room. Visitation largely takes place there also. It is where the inpatient spends the vast majority of his or her time.
In psychiatric hospitals the patient is discouraged form spending time in his or her room. It is used primarially for sleeping. Most treatment, dining, visitation and leisure time is spent in other aras of the unit such as group rooms, dining rooms quiet and noisy activity rooms that are not needed or present in general hospitals. In addition, the risk of patients inflicting physical harm to themselves or others require unique attention to opportunities for hanging, breaking glass and many other hazards.
In my opinion, it belongs in I-2, but as a separate group entirely.
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James Hunt AIA
Behavioral Health Facility Consulting, LLC
Topeka KS
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-29-2011 16:00
From: David Collins
Subject: Psychiatric Hospitals
The ASHE/ICC Ad-hoc Committee on Hospitals is looking for information regarding the definition of Psychiatric Hospitals that distinguish it from a general hospital. Part of the direction that this committee is moving is to isolate hospitals from other health care types that are now included under the general category of hospitals and nursing homes (I-2).
Beyond the issues of levels of care provided and licensing, what are the physical characteristics that differentiate Psych Hospitals from General Hospitals?
Dave
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David Collins FAIA
Preview Group, Inc.
Cincinnati OH
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