[A hospital unit for psychiatric crisis intervention 5 years later]

On 7 January 1981 a special ward for crisis intervention and emergency psychiatric cases went on stream at the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry in Munich. The article reports on the development of this ward between 1981 and 1985. First of all, a brief outline of the structure of the ward is given explaining indications and contraindications for acceptance and the treatment concept. This is followed by statistical evaluation of 1981 to 1985 data in respect of number of admissions and readmissions, duration of stay, percentage distribution of the referring institutions, age distribution, distribution of diagnosis, rates of attempted and committed suicides and onward referral to other institutions for further treatment. Finally, the article reviews changes in the basis concept of therapy and in the style of communication and behaviour within the therapeutic team, besides commenting on unfavourable conditions.