Psychiatric hospital survey finds admissions, occupancy rise

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).

 “This year’s NAPHS Annual Survey shows that demand for behavioral health services has continued to increase for all levels of care,” said NAPHS President/CEO Mark Covall. “At the same time that our members have responded to community needs by adding hospital beds to accommodate the most seriously ill, occupancy has also continued to increase. This shows the critical need that exists for mental health and substance use services for Americans of all ages,” he said.

Inpatient hospital admissions increased 7.1% from 2009 to 2010 (to an average of 2,883) in facilities reporting in both years. Hospital occupancy in facilities reporting both years increased 5.5% (to an average of 73.0% in 2010). Hospital length of stay remained stable at 9.1 days.

The survey data, which were analyzed and reported by Dobson DaVanzo & Associates, LLC (Vienna, Va.) also demonstrate 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. The Survey reports 2010 data that was collected in 2011 and issued in 2012, providing both an analysis of trends, year to year, in hospitals and residential treatment centers, and national averages.