Measures of involuntary hospitalization of mental patients: Experiences of the psychiatric department, Health Center Valjevo
The paper analyses the application of measures of involuntary hospitalization of mental patients at the psychiatric department of the Health Center in Valjevo according to law regulations in our country. During the one-year period, we have noticed an increasing number of involuntary hospitalizations as compared to the previous period, and a reducing number of repeated involuntary admissions and hospitalizations at the psychiatric department. All involuntary admitted patients are examined by the department psychiatrist who makes the decision concerning their involuntary hospitalization. 9,58% patients are not further hospitalized after the psychiatric examination. Involuntarily hospitalized patients are at the age of 40 to 49. Significant number of patients is diagnosed as F20-29. On the following day, and in case of holiday or weekend, on the first working day, the psychiatric department commission decides on the further course of treatment of involuntarily admitted patients. In 3% of the cases, when even after 72 hours the patients do not accept this way of treatment, the municipal court is informed; within the next 24 hours the court sends an expert team to the department, which, in the time period prescribed by law, makes a decision on further keeping the patient in hospital. At the Health Center Valjevo a supervising board has been established, which is to be informed on all involuntary admissions, involuntary hospitalizations and all possible problems.