Nursing staff development and facility design for medical-psychiatry units

Successful operation of a medical-psychiatry unit requires special considerations in nursing staff development and facility design. This article will discuss in detail issues related to the selection, training, and development of a medical-psychiatry unit nursing staff. Organizational details regarding establishing schedules and staffing patterns are examined in detail. Additional areas reviewed are special adaptations in the architectural and physical facility design as well as the medications, equipment, and supplies needed to provide optimal medical and nursing care to the medical-psychiatric patient population. The essential diagnostic and clinical services that should be available for patients on a medical psychiatry unit are also defined.