Treatment of Depressed Patients in General Hospital With Scatter Beds, Cluster Beds, and Psychiatric Units

Reviewed the records of 725 patients with a primary discharge diagnosis of depression at 9 general hospitals; 3 with psychiatric units, 3 in which beds were grouped together (cluster) & 3 in which beds were dispersed (scatter). Ss treated in psychiatric units most commonly presented with suicidal or homicidal indicators, most frequently received antidepressants & had the longest stays. Ss in scatter beds had the shortest stays while Ss treated in cluster beds had intermediate stays. (18 refs.)