Outcomes of a brief inpatient treatment program for mood and anxiety disorders

Findings are reported from a study on outcomes of a brief psychiatric inpatient treatment program (7-day average) for 67 patients with mood and anxiety disorders. Multiple outcomes measures were completed by patients, family members, and clinicians at admission, discharge, and 3 months after discharge. Findings included significant improvement from admission to discharge, with maintenance of gains 3 months later and few readmissions. Implications for psychiatric nursing practice in today's health care environment are discussed.