Study of alternative accommodation, using the hospital hostel practices profile

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Social Sciences
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Deinstitutionalization of chronic mental patients necessitates evaluating diverse accommodation settings.
• Understanding the nature and extent of restrictive practices is crucial for patient well-being and successful resettlement.
• The study focuses on various accommodation types, from traditional psychiatric wards to community-based options.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess and compare restrictive practices across different types of accommodation for chronic mental patients.
• To evaluate the reliability of the Spanish translation of the Hospital Hostel Practices Profile (H.H.P.P.).
• To identify the most suitable resettlement options by analyzing accommodation-based restrictions.

Main Methods:

• A sample of 613 chronic mental patients from 58 different accommodation types in Valencia was studied.
• The "Hospital Hostel Practices Profile" (H.H.P.P.) was used to assess restrictive practices.
• Practices were evaluated across patient activity areas, personal possessions, meals, hygiene, rooms, and services.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in restrictive practices were found between psychiatric wards and self-contained apartments.
• Sheltered homes also exhibited differences, though to a lesser extent than apartments.
• The H.H.P.P. demonstrated reliability for analyzing restrictive practices in Spanish accommodation settings.

Conclusions:

• The H.H.P.P. is a useful tool for analyzing restrictive practices in accommodations for deinstitutionalized individuals.
• Psychiatric wards present a more restrictive environment compared to community-based accommodations like apartments.
• Findings can inform policy and practice to optimize resettlement choices for improved patient outcomes.