Optimizing a Halfway House to Meet Mental Health Care Users' Occupational Needs.

Background. Halfway houses (HwH) may support community reintegration of mental health care users and can be effective in meeting occupational needs of residents. However, they are not optimally used in South Africa. Purpose. This study aimed to improve the functioning of a HwH so that it better meets occupational needs of the resident mental health care users. It draws on Doble & Santha (2008); seven occupational needs. Method. A four-phase Participatory Action Research methodology was used. We conducted thematic analysis to describe met and unmet needs within PAR phases. Findings. Occupational needs of accomplishment, renewal, pleasure and companionship were being met. However, coherence, agency and affirmation needs were not being met. An additional occupational need for interdependence, based on the African ethic of Ubuntu, was identified. Implications. HwH functioning affected residents' experiences of health and wellbeing. Engagement in collective occupations can contribute to meeting the occupational need of interdependence.

Recovery in context: Sober living houses and the ecology of recovery.

Sober living houses (SLHs) are an increasingly common element of the recovery support services landscape, yet little is known about their neighborhood context. This study describes neighborhoods in which SLHs are located and examines differences by house characteristics. SLHs in Los Angeles County (N = 297) were geocoded and linked with U.S. Census, alcohol outlet, recovery resources, and accessibility data. Regression analyses tested differences by house characteristics. Co-ed houses were in neighborhoods that were less ethnically diverse and farther away from recovery resources. Larger house capacity was associated with increased density of off-premise alcohol outlets but also increased proximity to treatment. Higher fees were associated with lower neighborhood disadvantage and off-premise alcohol outlet density but the greater distance from treatment programs and other recovery resources. House characteristics are associated with neighborhood factors that both support recovery and place residents at risk.

Persisting gaps in M-OUD coverage at post-discharge recovery houses necessitate our continued advocacy.

Effective treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) must target both the medical and psychosocial aspects of a patient's condition. This, in turn, requires a collaboration between medical providers and social supports. We would like to illustrate a key difficulty in this collaboration for some patients in our country: many post-discharge recovery houses continue to refuse to allow patients to remain on medication treatment for OUD (M-OUD). This barrier to M-OUD access in recovery houses is a significant obstacle to effective OUD treatment.

O acesso aos serviços de saúde na perspectiva de pessoas em situação de rua / Access to health services from the perspective of homeless people / Acceso a servicios de salud en la perspectiva de la gente de la calle

OBJETIVO: identificar a percepção das pessoas em situação de rua sobre as barreiras encontradas para garantia do acesso aos serviços de saúde. MÉTODO: pesquisa de natureza qualitativa, descritiva, realizada em um Centro de Referência Especializado de Assistência Social (CREAS) e em uma casa de passagem do município da região norte do estado de Mato Grosso do Sul. Os participantes foram 11 indivíduos em situação de rua. A coleta foi feita por meio de entrevistas utilizando o instrumento semiestruturado, analisadas por meio da análise temática. RESULTADOS: pode-se descrever dois momentos: "o viver na rua" e "o acesso à saúde". No processo de viver na rua, muitos relataram ter se acostumado com a situação de rua. O acesso aos serviços de saúde se deu em pronto-atendimentos devido a situações emergenciais. Experiências positivas e negativas foram relatadas. CONCLUSÃO: acredita-se que, ao se compreender as peculiaridades dessa população e suas demandas, uma assistência de melhor qualidade pode ser oferecida.

OBJECTIVE: to identify the perception of homeless people about the barriers to guarantee access to health services. METHOD: qualitative, descriptive research carried out in a Specialized Reference Center for Social Care (CREAS) and a halfway house of a municipality in the northern region of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. The participants were 11 homeless individuals. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed through thematic analysis. RESULTS: two moments were described: "living on the street" and "access to health". In the process of living on the street, many people reported having become accustomed to the homeless situation. Access to health care occurred in emergency services due to situations of emergency. Positive and negative experiences were reported. CONCLUSION: it is believed that, by understanding the peculiarities of this population and its demands, better quality care can be offered.

OBJETIVO: identificar la percepcíon de las pensonas que viven en la calle sobre las adversidades encontradas para garantizar un acceso a los servicios de salud. METODO: investigación de naturaleza cualitativa, descritiva, realizada en el Centro de Referencia Especializado en Asistencia Social (CREAS) y una estancia de um município en la regíon norte del Estado de Mato Grosso del Sur. Los participantes fueron 11 personas que vivian en la calle. La colecta de datos fue hecha por medio de entrevistas utilizando un instrumento semiestructurado, y por medio de un análisis temático. RESULTADOS: se puede describir dos situciónes: "el vivir en la calle" y "el acceso a la salud". Em la situacion de vivir em la calle muchos testimoniaron que tuvieron que adaptarse a sus condiciones. El acceso a los servicios de salud fue se dio en atencion inmediata a situaciones de emergencia. Las experiencias positivas y negativas fuero reportadas. CONCLUSIÓN: se cree que, al comprenderse las peculiaridades de esa poblacíon y sus demandas, una asistencia de mejor calidad puede ser ofrecida.

Supportive Care Network: Evaluation of Its Impact on the Performance of a Urology Department.

INTRODUCTION: Hospitals are dealing with patients who may have clinical discharge but cannot return to their home due to non-medical issues. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of all the cases referred to the Integrated Care Network during the year 2016. Evaluation of waiting times, typology, reason for referral and clinical parameters. IBM SPSS 24.0 software was used for all statisticalanalyses. RESULTS: In the evaluated period, 2294 patients were discharged from our department. Of these, 55 were referred to Integrated Care Network. The mean length of hospitalization of the patients referred to the network was 20.6 ± 11.4 days, and the mean overall length of hospital stay in the period analyzed was 4.8 ± 0.9 days. The mean time between hospitalization and referral for continuing care was 10.7 ± 7.2 days. The time between referral and discharge of the hospital was 10.0 ± 8.7 days. Thirty-nine (70.9%) patients were hospitalized for oncological diseases. The most common referral was to Palliative Care units (n = 16; 29.1%). Patients referred to Palliative Care units showed the largest waiting times between the referral for the network and the hospital discharge, 12.2 ± 10.51 days. We observed 289 hospitalization days with patients who had no need of specialized urological care. DISCUSSION: In order to reduce time between referral to the network and hospital discharge, there is a need for enhanced cooperation and coordination among doctors, nurses and social workers. CONCLUSION: Early identification by physicians and nurses of patients who will require care after discharge will provide a better response from social workers and increased hospital performance.

Introdução: Os hospitais deparam-se cada vez mais com doentes que, tendo alta clínica, não têm condições de ordem não clínica para regressar imediatamente ao domicílio. Material e Métodos: Estudo transversal dos casos referenciados para a Rede Nacional de Cuidados Continuados Integrados durante o ano de 2016 no nosso Serviço de Urologia. Foram avaliados os tempos de espera, tipologia, motivo de referenciação e os parâmetros clínicos. Análise estatística realizada com recurso ao software IBM SPSS 24.0. Resultados: No período analisado, 2294 pacientes tiveram alta hospitalar no nosso serviço. Destes, 55 foram referenciados para a Rede Nacional de Cuidados Continuados Integrados. O tempo médio de internamento dos pacientes referenciados foi de 20,6 ± 11,4 dias enquanto o tempo médio global de internamento foi de 4,8 ± 0,9 dias. O tempo médio entre o internamento e a referenciação para a Rede Nacional de Cuidados Continuados Integrados foi de 10,7 ± 7,2 dias. O tempo entre a referenciação e a alta hospitalar foi de 10,0 ± 8,7 dias. Trinta e nove (70,9%) pacientes foram internados por patologias oncológicas. A referenciação mais frequente foi para unidades de cuidados paliativos (n = 16; 29,1%). Os pacientes referenciados para cuidados paliativos foram os que apresentaram os maiores tempos de espera entre a referenciação e a alta hospitalar efetiva, 12,2 ± 10,51 dias. Foram despendidos 289 dias de hospitalização com pacientes que não precisavam de cuidados urológicos especializados. Discussão: Para que o tempo entre a referenciação para a Rede Nacional de Cuidados Continuados Integrados e a alta hospitalar sejam diminuídos, é necessário que haja uma otimização da cooperação e coordenação entre médicos, enfermeiros e assistentes sociais. Conclusão: A identificação precoce dos doentes que necessitarão de apoio após a alta clínica permitirá uma resposta mais atempada por parte dos assistentes sociais e uma consequente melhoria do desempenho dos serviços hospitalares e satisfação dos doentes.

Distribution and Neighborhood Correlates of Sober Living House Locations in Los Angeles.

Sober living houses (SLHs) are alcohol and drug-free living environments for individuals in recovery. The goal of this study was to map the distribution of SLHs in Los Angeles (LA) County, California (N = 260) and examine neighborhood correlates of SLH density. Locations of SLHs were geocoded and linked to tract-level Census data as well as to publicly available information on alcohol outlets and recovery resources. Neighborhoods with SLHs differed from neighborhoods without them on measures of socioeconomic disadvantage and accessibility of recovery resources. In multivariate, spatially lagged hurdle models stratified by monthly fees charged (less than $1400/month vs. $1400/month or greater), minority composition, and accessibility of treatment were associated with the presence of affordable SLHs. Accessibility of treatment was also associated with the number of affordable SLHs in those neighborhoods. Higher median housing value and accessibility of treatment were associated with whether a neighborhood had high-cost SLHs, and lower population density was associated with the number of high-cost SLHs in those neighborhoods. Neighborhood factors are associated with the availability of SLHs, and research is needed to better understand how these factors affect resident outcomes, as well as how SLHs may affect neighborhoods over time.

Planning Patient-Centered Health Homes for Medicaid Psychiatric Patients at Greatest Risk for Intensive Service Use.

This study identified characteristics of Medicaid psychiatric patients at risk of hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits to identify their service delivery needs. A total of 4,866 psychiatrists were randomly selected from the AMA Physician Masterfile; 62 % responded, 32 % met eligibility criteria and reported on 1,625 Medicaid patients. Patients with schizophrenia, substance use disorders, suicidal and violent ideation/behavior, and psychotic, substance use, or manic symptoms were at high risk for intensive service use, along with homeless and incarcerated patients. Patients with schizophrenia or psychotic symptoms represented 37 % of patients, but used 73 % of all hospital days and 61 % of all ED visits. Patients with substance use problems comprised 21 % of patients, but used nearly half of all ED visits. Our findings highlight opportunities to enhance treatments and interventions, and inform the development of patient-centered health homes to address the needs of patients at high risk for intensive service use.

[Psychiatric services in sheltered and supported housing]. / Psychiatrischer Versorgungsbedarf in betreuten Wohneinrichtungen.

SUBJECT: Providing care and support for individuals with severe mental illness in sheltered and supported housing facilities is frequently characterized by difficult courses, particularly if it concerns residents with "heavy user" profiles. These individuals often times change their residence and are extensively hospitalized on acute psychiatric wards. To date, little is known about the needs of providers of sheltered and supported housing concerning cooperation with psychiatric hospitals and support by psychiatric services. METHODS: An explorative survey was conducted among the sheltered and supported housing facilities in the canton of Zurich. A short questionnaire was distributed among all 140 institutions in written form. The responses were analyzed thematically with respect to four predefined categories. RESULTS: Fifty-six institutions providing 1,600 places (about 50 % of the capacity in the canton of Zurich) responded. Experiences and problems with the focus group of residents as well as causes for problematic courses are described. A sound working routine with the psychiatric hospitals was considered as a precondition for the provision of high quality housing support. The needs concerned regular and flexible cooperation with psychiatric hospitals as well as open communication in particular at discharge from the clinic and intake at the housing facility. CONCLUSIONS: Concentration of competencies and knowledge within psychiatric hospitals about sheltered housing institutions and their needs could improve service provision and may result in higher certitude of housing facilities. Thereby, their ability to manage patients with severe mental illness could be improved and extensive hospitalization of individuals from this group could be reduced.

Characteristics of homeless adults with serious mental illness served by a state mental health transitional shelter.

Specialized transitional shelters are available in various cities to provide assistance to homeless individuals with serious mental illness. Little is known about the population using such shelters. The authors conducted a retrospective chart review to collect demographic, social, and clinical data of residents in a state-operated mental health transitional shelter in Massachusetts. A total of 74 subjects were included. Schizophrenia-spectrum disorders were present in 67.6 % of the sample and mood disorders in 35.1 %. Substance use disorders were documented in 44.6 %. Chronic medical illness (mostly hypertension, dyslipidemia, asthma, and diabetes) was found in 82.4 %. The co-occurrence of a psychiatric and substance use disorder and chronic medical illness was found in 36.5 %. The majority (75.7 %) of patients had a history of legal charges. Homeless individuals with serious mental illness served by specialized transitional shelters represent a population with complex psychiatric, medical and social needs.

[Intersection of acute psychiatric wards and sheltered housing - parameters of patients with long inpatient episodes]. / Schnittstelle psychiatrische Akutstationen und betreute Wohneinrichtungen - Charakteristika von Patienten mit langen Klinikaufenthalten.

OBJECTIVE: This paper describes socio-demographic, clinical, and treatment-related parameters of psychiatric patients who were hospitalized for at least two months on an acute psychiatric ward compared to patients with a shorter inpatient treatment episode. Furthermore, it is evaluated how frequent these long-staying patients are awaiting a room in a sheltered housing facility. METHODS: We investigated the longest inpatient treatment period of all patients aged between 18 and 65 years on an acute ward of the Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich (n = 3,928) using the basic documentation of the years 2006 to 2010. RESULTS: 20 % of all patients on acute wards had a stay of more than 60 days. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics are similar to those of "heavy users" of mental health services. Social work is involved more frequently, and placement in sheltered housing facilities is intended in one third of those patients. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial part of the patients who stay at least once longer than two months on an acute ward are discharged to sheltered housing. Besides severity of illness it is likely that lack of availability of an adequate housing option contributes to length of stay. Intensified cooperation of the psychiatric clinic with sheltered housing facilities as well as alternative options for those in need of assisted housing and mental health care might help to reduce their extensive usage of inpatient treatment capacities. Interventions and services have to be adapted to local conditions.

A pilot study of the impact of housing first-supported housing for intensive users of medical hospitalization and sobering services.

OBJECTIVES: We examined changes in service use in a Housing First (HF) pilot program for adults who were homeless with medical illnesses and high prior acute-care use relative to a similar comparison group. METHODS: We used a 1-year pre-post comparison group design. The 29 participants and 31 comparison group members were adults who were homeless with inpatient claims of at least $10 000 or at least 60 sobering "sleep off" center contacts in the prior year. RESULTS: Participants showed a significantly greater reduction in emergency department and sobering center use relative to the comparison group. At a trend level, participants had greater reductions in hospital admissions and jail bookings. Reductions in estimated costs for participants and comparison group members were $62 504 and $25 925 per person per year-a difference of $36 579, far outweighing program costs of $18 600 per person per year. CONCLUSIONS: HF participants showed striking reductions in acute-care use relative to the comparison group, demonstrating that HF can be a successful model for people with complex medical conditions and high prior acute-care use. Despite notable methodological limitations, these findings could be used to inform a larger multisite study that would establish greater generalizability.

The systemic model of crime and institutional efficacy: an analysis of the social context of offender reintegration.

The systemic model of crime has received considerable empirical attention from criminologists; yet, an often-neglected component of the theoretical framework is the role of social institutions as a source of both formal and informal social control. Accordingly, the current study builds on recent research that considers the importance of institutional strength for the reduction of criminal behavior; in particular, the authors assess the impact of social-structural characteristics on the treatment program integrity (i.e., institutional efficacy) of 38 halfway house programs in Ohio. The authors' results indicate that communities suffering from concentrated resource deprivation have a more difficult time creating and maintaining strong institutions of public social control. The implications for criminological theory and correctional policy are discussed.

High cost residential placements for adults with intellectual disabilities.

BACKGROUND: Concern has been expressed repeatedly about the cost and quality of residential placements for adults with learning disabilities and additional needs. This study sought to identify characteristics of the highest cost placements in the South-East of England. METHOD: Lead learning disability commissioners in the South-East of England were asked to provide information about the five highest cost residential placements that they commissioned for adults with learning disabilities. RESULTS: The average placement cost of £172k per annum disguised wide variation. Individuals placed were mainly young and male with high rates of challenging behaviour and/or autism spectrum disorder. Most placements were in out-of-area residential care. The highest costs were associated with hospital placements and placements for people presenting challenging behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: Young, male adults with learning disability, challenging behaviour and/or autism continue to receive very high cost residential support, often in out-of-area residential care. There remains limited evidence of plans to redirect resources to more local service developments.

Dedicated CM coordinates discharges for patients.

Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, NY, has a complex case manager who coordinates post-discharge options for uninsured patients with complex needs. The initiative frees up unit case managers and social workers to manage the care of less complex patients. The hospital has an arrangement with a community-based organization to provide a safe living environment for patients who are homeless and need post-acute services. A complex care advisory team reviews patients with post-discharge issues and makes a recommendation to the hospital's administration.

["Treated and promoted or detained and left behind" - intensive psychiatric care of residents of a psychiatric hostel over seven years]. / "Behandelt und gefördert oder verwahrt und vergessen"- die psychiatrische versorgung der bewohner eines psychiatrischen heimes im längschnitt.

OBJECTIVE: In this observational study indicators for the quality of psychiatric care in a psychiatric hostel will be examined for all residents over a period of 7 years. METHODS: Data has been collected at an annual basis. Relationships among variables have been analysed by means of random effects regression analyses for longitudinal data. RESULTS: GAF score increases slightly. Number of psychopharmacological drugs and neuroleptics as well as inpatient costs remains stable. Psychiatric treatment costs are negatively related to the functional level, residents' age and the duration of stay in the residential facility. Even under control of several variables, variance of total costs was found to be mainly explained by the costs of inpatient and psychopharmacological treatment. DISCUSSION: Increase of the general functional level indicates a positive development of autonomy. Changes and the influence factors of psychopharmacological treatment may indicate a need-oriented drug therapy. Some findings may indicate an institutionalisation process and an increasing of medical conditions in chronically mentally ill people.

Does supported accommodation improve the clinical and social outcomes for people with severe psychiatric disability? The Project 300 experience.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to investigate the clinical and social outcomes for a group of individuals (n = 181) discharged into supported accommodation from three long-stay facilities in Queensland. METHOD: Data were collected prospectively using a battery of standardized measures and individual interviews at 6 weeks pre-discharge and again at 6, 18, 36, and 84 months post-discharge. RESULTS: While there was little functional gain at follow up, the clients, as a group, did not deteriorate. Sixty per cent of the clients were engaged in some form of structured community activity and the need for hospitalization decreased significantly in the follow-up period. The ongoing costs of the programme, while remaining high, were significantly less than inpatient alternatives. CONCLUSION: The provision of community accommodation with adequate clinical and non-clinical support is a suitable option for a large proportion of individuals with serious mental illness.

[Mentally ill women's subjective views on social context of desire for children. A qualitative approach]. / "Ich werde sie sicherlich nicht einfach so in die Welt setzen ". Der soziale Kontext des Kinderwunschs aus der Sicht von Frauen mit psychischen Erkrankungen. Eine qualitative Studie.

OBJECTIVES: The desire for children among mentally ill women may be influenced by the perception of reproductive risks for the woman herself as well as for the potential child. Coping with these challenges is not only impacted by individual but also by social factors. Thus, the study aims at subjective views on various social aspects pertaining to the desire for children among this group including: (a) general context (b) partnership (c) family background (d) professionals and (e) genetic aspects in regard to desire for children. METHODS: In 2007, n = 15 narrative-biographical interviews with childless women with mental illnesses aged 26-42 years were analysed using a reconstructive approach. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: Participants focused on the development of stable social conditions and stable partnership as important prerequisites for desire for children. However, a mental illness might easily threaten the development of such stable conditions. It was emphasized that a partnership with a mentally ill partner can be both an important source of support as well as an additional burden due to the "doubled risk". Furthermore, it was reported that during contacts with mental health service providers, the desire for children is mostly restricted to the issue of adequate birth control. Some participants felt overburdened by bringing up this issue vis-à-vis professionals while some were afraid that their desire for children may become medicalised. Most participants were sceptical towards the use of (hypothetical) genetic techniques aiming at the prediction of a mental illness in the planned/unborn child.

Halfway houses for alcohol dependents: from theoretical bases to implications for the organization of facilities.

The purpose of this paper is to supply a narrative review of the concepts, history, functions, methods, development and theoretical bases for the use of halfway houses for patients with mental disorders, and their correlations, for the net construction of chemical dependence model. This theme, in spite of its relevance, is still infrequently explored in the national literature. The authors report international and national uses of this model and discuss its applicability for the continuity of services for alcohol dependents. The results suggest that this area is in need of more attention and interest for future research.