- The stay in the unit by a typical patient ran into years, the
cost being, I believe, around $30,000 a year then. - Staff sick leave ran extremely high on the ward.
- The physical environment of the unit was drab and
somewhat rundown. - The unit staff was composed of basically wonderful and
caring people. - What I’ve described is probably typical of most psychiatric
units elsewhere in the country.
When I left the unit and facility in July 1987: - Seclusion rooms were no longer in use.
- Wrist and ankle restraints were no longer in use.
- Violent acts were extremely rare, usually involving new
patients. - Patients were responsible for their own care, including
arranging residential, work, and legal services before
leaving the unit and the facility. - Off-unit recreational activities such as jogging and tennis
were ongoing, not requiring approval by a psychiatrist or
the use of ankle and wrist restraints. - Off-unit work activities were begun, such as car washing,
without the approval of a psychiatrist or the use of ankle
and wrist restraints. - On-unit work consisted of baking cookies and polishing
shoes. - Visits in the unit by family were taking place.
- Staff sick leave was not a chronic problem.
- The unit environment greatly improved with painting and
maintenance and because people cared.
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