• Health, Standard 08/12/2004

The categorisation of the admitted patient program is based on the principal purpose(s) of the program rather than the classification of the individual patients.

CODE 1     Acute care

Programs primarily providing specialist psychiatric care for people with acute episodes of mental disorder. These episodes are characterised by recent onset of severe clinical symptoms of mental disorder that have potential for prolonged dysfunction or risk to self and/or others. The key characteristic of acute services is that this treatment effort is focused on short-term treatment. Acute services may be focused on assisting people who have had no prior contact or previous psychiatric history, or individuals with a continuing mental disorder for whom there has been an acute exacerbation of symptoms. This category applies only to services with a mental health service setting of overnight admitted patient care or residential care.

CODE 2     Other

Refers to all other programs primarily providing admitted patient care.

Includes programs providing rehabilitation services that have a primary focus on interventions to reduce functional impairments that limit the independence of patients. Rehabilitation services are focused on disability and the promotion of personal recovery.

They are characterised by an expectation of substantial improvement over the short to mid-term. Patients treated by rehabilitation services usually have a relatively stable pattern of clinical symptoms.

Also includes programs providing extended care services that primarily provide care over an indefinite period for patients who have a stable but severe level of functional impairment and an inability to function independently, thus requiring extensive care and support. Patients of extended care services present a stable pattern of clinical symptoms, which may include high levels of severe unremitting symptoms of mental disorder. Treatment is focused on preventing deterioration and reducing impairment; improvement is expected to occur slowly.

This data element is used to disaggregate data on beds, activity, expenditure and staffing for admitted patient settings in mental health service units (see Specialised mental health service organisation—service delivery setting, code N data element).