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Detailed Needs and Requirements: Psychiatric Unit
The range of activities at any time may be diverse with a number of
patients engaged in individual or group sessions and the remainder
pursuing individualized treatment schedules. Some patients may
watch T.V., play cards, chat, or receive visitors, while others may take
an occasional nap, go for a walk, exercise, or engage in hobbies and
work, either individually or in groups. Group recreational and
occupational activities are generally attended by a member of staff who
supervises and encourages the patients in their pursuits.
Patients characteristically participate in the maintenance of the ward,
wash and iron their own clothes and prepare snacks. Most patients
have relative freedom of the hospital and may be permitted off the
hospital grounds, accompanied or unaccompanied. On occasion,
groups of patients may be taken on an excursion.
The majority of patients need not maintain continual direct visual
contact with a nurse but an awareness of a nurses' presence
generates reassurance. A few patients, particularly at the beginning of
treatment, while able to engage in simple, occupational pursuits, may
need to remain continually close to a nurse during their waking hours.
Other patients, although free to circulate within the unit, may require
continual twenty-four hour observation until treatment becomes
effective.
On infrequent occasions, non-ambulant patients may be admitted to
the psychiatric unit. These patients require a complete range of
diagnostic, therapeutic and supportive care normally accorded GM & S
acute patients.
Female patients represent only a small percentage of the total patient
load.
While the use of drugs is effective in controlling disturbed patients,
there is still need for patients in extreme states to be isolated and
protected in order to prevent their becoming a danger to themselves
and others.
In general, drugs, medications, treatment equipment, diagnostic and
other treatment facilities must be adequately secured from patients.
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