Is Hospitalization Necessary?
Of the 5.4 million people who sought mental health treatment in 1990, less than 7% required hospitalization. More than half of those who needed inpatient-care had schizophrenia, one of the most severe forms of mental illness. If you or someone you know may have a mental illness, the chances are that you will not need hospitalization. But, if you do, the following information will help assure you of the best care possible.
Questions To
Ask:
- Has the person
been professionally evaluated? By whom? Do I understand the
diagnosis?
- If the patient
has not been evaluated, why am I seeking admission for the person?
-
a) A doctor's
recommendation?
b) Need to have patient removed from family situation? Why? Because of behavioral problems?
c) What are they? Because family cannot care for him or her? Why?
d) What symptoms is the patient exhibiting which cause concern?
The
Hospital/Treatment Center At Check-In:
- Does your
facility treat patients only for this specific diagnosis?
- If the patient
has other health or emotional problems will he/she receive treatment
for these problems also?
- Does your
facility require tests when admitted? If so, what are they?
- Who will
perform these tests?
- Who will
evaluate the patient when he/she is admitted?
- What are the
person’s qualifications/ title?
- Will this
person continue to treat the patient?
- Will the
patient be seen by this professional on a regular basis?
- When will the initial evaluation take place?
During the
Patient's Stay:
- When can I (or
another family member) talk to the therapist or doctor?
- Will we be able
to discuss treatment with the doctor or therapist? When? How often?
- When can family
members visit? For how long?
- Will the
patient be allowed to receive phone calls?
- Will the
patient have a daily schedule of activities or treatments?
- If so, what
activities will the patient be involved in?
- Is therapy
group or private and is it part of the treatment plan?
- What clothes
should the patient bring?
- How long will
the patient be at the facility?
- Who makes this
decision?
- Will the family
be advised of changes in treatment?
- Who will make the evaluation for discharging the patient? When will this happen?
Leaving The
Hospital:
- Will someone
advise the patient and family about adjustment concerns such as the
need for further counseling or a medication schedule?
- What can we
expect when the patient is discharged?
- Will he/she be
on medications? Which ones?
- How will these
medications help? Are they habit-forming? What are the side effects?
What is the dosage?
- How long will
the patient have to take this medication?
- If the patient
leaves the hospital without permission how will the hospital handle
this?
- If this occurs,
what is the parent or family’s responsibility?
- Will the
patient be able to continue school work while in the hospital? Or
how soon after he or she is discharged?
- If classes are
offered to patients, what are they and who teaches them?
- What follow-up treatment or support group options should the family and patient consider?
Financial And
Insurance Issues:
Ask the treatment center and/or insurance company the following
questions:
- Does the
hospital accept this type of insurance? If not, what are the
alternatives? If it does, what is covered?
- Can coverage be
reviewed with a member of the staff?
- Are there
separate charges and how much are they for physicians, therapists or
caretakers? What may these separate charges be?
- How are fees
assessed?
- When will
billing occur?
- If insurance
only covers part of the cost, what other arrangements can be made
for payments?
- Is there other assistance available? Will the facility accept partial payments or payments on a schedule?
Ask The
Therapist:
What can the patient and family expect during the treatment process?
- What can be the
expected reactions/behaviors of the patient?
- How should the
family respond?
- How can the patient and family prepare for unexpected behavior and possible setbacks?
This publication is generously supported by an educational grant from the William H. Donner Foundation and Eli Lily and Company. copyright 1996
Thank you to Mental Health Association of Maryland and The Mental Health Association in Beaumont and Jefferson County for allowing us to use as sources "5 Easy Steps to Finding Help" and "Guidelines for Seeking Mental Health Services."