Admission patterns in a psychiatric intensive care unit in Ireland: a longitudinal follow-up

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Psychiatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) provide specialized care for acute mental health crises.
• Understanding patient demographics and admission patterns is crucial for optimizing PICU services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the admission course and clinical characteristics of patients admitted to a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at the Phoenix Care Centre (PCC) in Dublin, Ireland.
• To identify factors associated with length of stay (LOS) in the PICU.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective chart study of 91 complete admission episodes between January 2014 and January 2017 at the PCC.
• Data collected included patient demographics, diagnoses, legal status, and treatment interventions.

Main Results:

• The average patient age was 37.1 years, with a mean LOS of 59.3 days.
• Admissions predominantly comprised younger, single males diagnosed with schizophrenia, often under Mental Health Act legislation.
• Antipsychotic polypharmacy was common (61%). A diagnosis of acute psychotic disorder was associated with a reduced LOS.

Conclusions:

• PICU admissions at PCC primarily involved young, male patients with schizophrenia, frequently under legal detention.
• The main reason for referral was the risk of assault, underscoring the necessity of secure, intensive treatment models offered by PICUs.