[Catamnestic examinations in a crisis intervention ward of a general hospital (author's transl)]

The article reports on a catamnestic examination of patients of a crisis intervention center at a general hospital, conducted during the period from 1.5.1977 to 31.5.1978. A total of 560 admissions was recorded comprising 492 patients. Examination was carried out via an open questionnaire, plus data taken from the hospital's care index file. In 59% of the patients, the state of crisis was relieved in the course of an average hospitalisation period of 4.2 days; in 1.23% (= 6 patients), suicide occurred after hospitalisation. 2.4% only of the treated patients were re-admitted to inpatients treatment because of mental difficulties during the period of this study. Improvement of treatment is represented by the institution of facilities of transitional treatment which make it easier to transfer the patient from the crisis-intervention ward, motivating him to participate in long-term outpatient therapy.