Catherine,
I worked in a free standing psychiatric hospital in Kansas City, MO. that usesthis model. It is an 8-10 bed nit that is seperated from the Adult unit but shares a nursing station. It is called the ITU, or Intensive Treatment Unit and is it's own entity. It is designed for patients who need decreased stimuli, combative, actively psychotic, or simply can't function on the standard Adult unit. The groups are tailored for their needs and naturally not as thought provoking. As the patients cognitive status improves they have the opportunity to attend groups on the Adult unit and possibly transition over. It is common for some to be admitted and discharged from ITU depending on circumstances. The unit has it's own day room, kitchen, and two seclusion rooms.
I felt it was an advantage to have this model in a free standing psychiatric unit because it allowed easy transition of patients and allowed for SPMI patients to have treatment in an environment more suited to their needs, especially in a crisis.
Hope this helps,
Judy Tubbs
Parkville, MO.
(913) 677-0500- office
(816) 746-0409