Inadvertent hospitalization in a private mental hospital during period 2000 - 2006

Background

The aim of this project was to study the expansion of the proportion of inadvertent and voluntary hospitalization after the effect of L. 2071/92. The patients can be admitted in a private mental hospital only by a District Attorney's order, and only to the absence of a public psychiatric institution in the area.

Materials and methods

We took record of the number of admittances (inadvertent and voluntary), in a private psychiatric clinic during the period of 2000 - 2006. We categorized the patients into three categories. The first category was consistent by inadvertent admitted patients, after being diagnosed of schizophrenic disorder or psychosis, the second category was consistent by patients admitted after being diagnosed of bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder and the third category was consistent by patients diagnosed of organic-psychotic syndrome.

Results

During 2000-2006 there were a total of 1408 admittances in the clinic, 431 of which were inadvertent (percentage 30,61%). Men: 343 (79,58%) Women 88 (20,42%).

In the year 2000 the inadvertent admittances were 42 out of 170 (24,70%), in 2001, 50 out of 195 (25,64%), in 2002, 50 out of 190 (26,31%), in 2003, 70 out of 250 (28,00%), in 2004, 69 out of 214 (32,24%), in 2005, 74 out of 217 (34,10%) and in 2006, 76 out of 172 (44,18%).

Conclusions

In the past there was no specific legal frame specifically describing the way of admittance of psychiatric patients, when they do not consent themselves. Usually their family drove the patients by force to the clinic. This study shows that L.2071/92 is applied in Greece proved by the rising percentage of the inadvertent admittances compared to the percentage of the willing admittances. During the seven year period of this study there was recorded a rising of the inadvertent admittances by 178,86%. In addition the patients' rights and dignity are protected this way.