Newswise — Behavioral healthcare systems are playing a major role in responding to the needs of the millions of Americans of all ages who experience psychiatric and substance use conditions each year, according to the latest annual survey from the National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems (NAPHS) released today. The 2009 NAPHS Annual Survey provides two distinct views of behavioral healthcare delivery. One chapter provides a trend analysis that looks at changes from year to year in hospitals and residential treatment centers reporting over a two-year period. Another chapter provides national averages to give a snapshot of members’ experiences in the reporting year. This chapter also presents selected data by set-up-and-staffed bed categories to help organizations compare their own experiences to those of facilities of a similar size.
“This year’s NAPHS Annual Survey demonstrates the stability and reliability of our members as an essential part of the healthcare delivery system,” said NAPHS President/CEO Mark Covall in releasing the analysis. “Demand continues to grow, as evidenced by increases in admissions, days of care, and occupancy within both hospitals and residential treatment centers. Every day, our members are responding to the ongoing needs of people of all ages – particularly those with the most severe mental and substance use conditions.”
Trend analysis shows strong demand for behavioral health services. Inpatient hospital admissions, for example, increased 3.5% from 2007 to 2008 (to an average of 2,700) in facilities reporting in both years. Hospital occupancy in facilities reporting both years increased 1.8% (to an average of 74.2% in 2008).
Trended residential treatment admissions in the same time frame increased 1.5% (from an average of 206 in 2007 to 209 in 2008). Trended residential treatment center occupancy increased 2.1% (to an average of 79.5%).
The survey also demonstrates great diversity of levels of care and payer sources for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults experiencing mental and substance use disorders. In addition to hospital-level care, NAPHS-member facilities provide residential treatment, partial hospitalization, and outpatient care. Payer sources include Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, state governments, and others such as juvenile justice systems.
Data drawn from other major studies is also presented in the Annual Survey to provide context on the prevalence of behavioral conditions and the economic and clinical impact of inpatient psychiatric facilities. The report is $400—prepaid—from the National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems, 900 17th Street, NW, Suite 420, Washington, DC 20006-2507. MasterCard, Visa, and American Express are accepted. Call 202/393-6700, ext. 101, for ordering information or see www.naphs.org.
NAPHS advocates for behavioral health and represents provider systems that are committed to the delivery of responsive, accountable, and clinically effective prevention, treatment, and care for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults with mental and substance use disorders. NAPHS members are behavioral healthcare provider organizations that own or manage more than 600 psychiatric hospitals, general hospital psychiatric and addiction treatment units and behavioral healthcare divisions, residential treatment facilities, youth services organizations, and extensive outpatient networks. The association was founded in 1933.
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