Case Study Supporting the Return of Long Term Psychiatric Institutions for Patients with Severe Persistent Mental Illness

There has been a surge of greater than 30% in the rate of inpatient psychiatric readmissions amongst patients with severe mental illness following the era of deinstitutionalization and co-morbid medical illness has been found to be a consistent factor amongst this subset of patients. Hospital psychiatrists often see these patients revolve in and out of the hospital, a phenomena known to negatively impact their quality of life. Having a highly structured 24-hour long term psychiatric institutions is a much needed resource for patients with severe mental illness who are unable to take care of self.