The interlocking treatment system: a model for the delivery of state hospital-CMHC services

A state hospital began a program in 1975 to integrate the treatment services of the hospital with those of six community mental health centers. The interlocking treatment system that resulted made use of mini-teams of hospital and center staff to recommend referrals to the hospital, develop inpatient treatment programs, and supervise the client's return to the community. The linkages between the hospital and the centers helped ensure continuity of care for clients and to ease their return to community living. A study of hospital wards participating in the system and those not participating showed that participating wards discharged significantly more clients over an 18-month period.