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).

“The Institute of Medicine has reported that mental or substance-use problems and illnesses are the leading cause of combined disability and death of women and the second highest of men,” said NAPHS Executive Director Mark Covall in releasing the survey. “Studies have also shown that half of those who will ever be diagnosed with a mental disorder show signs of the disease by age 14. Yet fewer than half of those in need get treatment. Our survey provides a snapshot of the role that NAPHS members are playing in responding to the need for care for individuals with persistent and severe mental illnesses and substance use conditions.”

To better meet strong demand for behavioral health care, hospitals have been adding beds and/or activating licensed beds within existing facilities. Trend analysis in the 2005 NAPHS Annual Survey shows a 3.5% increase in licensed beds and a 5.3% increase in set-up and staffed beds within member facilities reporting in both 2003 and 2004. Within inpatient programs, admissions and average days of care have continued to grow. In 2004, average inpatient admissions increased 4.6% and average total days of care increased 3.5%, according to trend analysis. Lengths of stay in inpatient programs are typically short. Facilities reporting in both 2003 and 2004 saw lengths of stay decline from 9.9 days in 2003 to 9.6 days in 2004. Occupancy rates remain at high levels. Among “typical” hospitals in the NAPHS membership (averaging 50 to 100 beds), 25% of survey respondents had occupancy rates higher than 82%. Among the largest facilities (those with more than 100 beds), 25% had average occupancy rates greater than 90%.

The survey also demonstrates great diversity of services, levels of care, and payer sources for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. In addition to hospital-level care, NAPHS-member facilities provide residential care, partial hospitalization, and outpatient care. These facilities also offer a comprehensive array of community services, including special education, housing, case management, and substance use services. Payer sources include Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, state governments, and others such as juvenile justice systems.

http://www.naphs.org