A Survey on Petition and Process for the Extension of Hospitalization in Mental Hospital

Chung, Sung Ho; Lee, Chang Gon; Kim, Jae Gyeong; Kim, Eyong

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The authors performed this survey to find out current status of petition and process for the extension of hospitalization of patients who were hospitalized more than 6 months.
METHODS
Authors designed a questionnaire named 'Questionnaire for Survey of Current Status and Process of Petition for Extension of Hospitalization of Psychiatric Patients' and distributed it to 242 psychiatric facilities with closed wards for psychiatric patients. The psychiatric facilities includes 4 categories;psychiatric department of university hospital, psychiatric department of general hospital, psychiatric hospital and small sized private clinic. The period of survey was from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 of 2002.
RESULTS
Among 84 psychiatric facilities responded, 2,615 petitions for extension of hospitalization were submifted to the Local Mental Health Tribunal, and the dissent rate was 4.1%. The most of petitions were from psychiatric hospitals (2,265). The psychiatric departments of general hospitals favored the discharge-readmission method rather than applying extension by due process of the Mental Health Act when further admission was needed after 6 months hospitalization (280 vs. 106). The main reason for the petitions for extension of hospitalization was "no improvement" (72.7%) than "dangerousness to self or others" (14.7%). Against doctor's recommendation for discharge agter improvement, many patients couldn't be discharged becanse of guardians' refusal or cut off from caregiver or guardian. In cluded were these patients applied petitions for extension of hospitalization.
CONCLUSION
This study suggests that hospitalization of some patients are extended improperly in view of the spirif of the Mental Health Act. The authors proposea new system of ambulatory treatment, reinforcement of psychiatric rehabilitation, legal control of the neglected patient by guardians.