Mental and physical health are closely connected. For people experiencing an acute psychiatric crisis, other medical conditions, medications and health needs can all affect how they feel, how they respond to treatment, and the type of care they may need.
That connection can be especially important in an inpatient psychiatric setting. A person experiencing acute psychiatric symptoms may also be managing a chronic health condition, taking multiple medications or experiencing physical symptoms that can complicate their care. Understanding those factors can give the care team a more complete picture of what a patient needs.
At NeuroPsychiatric Hospitals (NPH), the whole-patient model is built around recognizing that connection. Rather than focusing only on a psychiatric diagnosis, the care team considers both a patient’s behavioral health needs and the medical factors that may be contributing to or complicating their condition.
Looking at the full picture
When a patient arrives at a psychiatric hospital, understanding what brought them there is only one part of the assessment. The care team also considers the patient’s medical history, current medications, existing health conditions and other factors that may affect their treatment.
That broader view helps the team develop an individualized care plan based on the needs of the person in front of them rather than treating a diagnosis in isolation.
Bringing psychiatric and medical care together
For some patients, psychiatric symptoms may exist alongside complex medical needs. Those needs do not disappear when someone enters a psychiatric hospital.
NPH’s model is designed to support patients whose care may require attention to both. Its interdisciplinary teams bring together psychiatric and medical professionals to better understand each patient’s needs and provide coordinated care throughout their stay.
Care that evolves with the patient
A patient’s needs can change over the course of a hospital stay. Ongoing evaluation allows the care team to monitor progress, assess how someone is responding to treatment and adjust the care plan as appropriate.
The goal of a short-term stay is stabilization. By considering the different factors affecting a patient’s health, the care team can work toward helping the patient reach greater stability while also planning for what comes next.
Supporting the transition beyond the hospital
Whole-patient care also means thinking beyond the immediate crisis. As a patient approaches discharge, the care team considers what continued support may be needed and helps plan for the appropriate next level of care.
That may look different for every patient, but the objective is the same: to support a safe transition from the hospital and continued care for the needs that extend beyond the inpatient stay.
Seeing the person, not just the diagnosis
People experiencing psychiatric crises often arrive with needs that cannot be understood through a single diagnosis. Taking the time to consider the broader picture can help care teams better understand those needs and determine an appropriate path forward.
At NPH, the whole-patient model reflects a simple principle: psychiatric care is one part of caring for the whole person.
For patients and families considering inpatient psychiatric care, hearing from others who have experienced that care can provide additional perspective. Read patient and family testimonials to learn more about experiences at NeuroPsychiatric Hospitals.