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. 2021 Oct:304:114136.
doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114136. Epub 2021 Jul 24.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on acute inpatient psychiatric units in Spain

José Manuel Montes  1 , Daniel Hernández-Huerta  2
Affiliations

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on acute inpatient psychiatric units in Spain

José Manuel Montes et al. Psychiatry Res. 2021 Oct.

Abstract

Patients with more severe mental health symptoms are treated in acute inpatient psychiatric units (AIPUs), but the functioning of these units throughout Spain has been challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic. We therefore conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional study to assess the situation. An online survey was distributed to all hospitals with AIPUs in Spain and made accessible for 28 days. Two scientific coordinators were appointed to supervise the scientific and methodological aspects of the study. The most relevant findings include reductions in numbers of beds and staff, insufficient material resources, changes in action protocols and in admission processes, and limitations in routine therapies, such as group and occupational therapy, psychotherapy and psychoeducational programmes. The possibility of performing ECT was also seriously curtailed. This is the first study to evaluate the impact of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on AIPUs. These data may help improve the quality of care of patients with mental illness in the future.

Keywords: Hospitalization; Mental disorders; Psychiatry; Spain.

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Conflict of interest statement

Dr Montes has received grants from and served as consultant, advisor, or CME speaker for Almirall, Angelini, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Ferrer, GlaxoSmithKline, ISCIII, Janssen-Cilag, Lundbeck, Neuraxpharm, Otsuka, Pfizer, Qualigen, Recordati, SanofiAventis, Servier, and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (CIBERSAM). Dr Hernández-Huerta has received personal honoraria and non-financial support from Janssen, Casen Recordati, Otsuka, Lundbeck, Ferrer and Angelini.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Precipitating factors leading to clinical decompensation that forced hospitalization in psychiatric AIPUs during the first wave of COVID-19 (N=270).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Should areas be prioritized in the same hospital for patients with psychiatric decompensation and active COVID-19 infection? (N=270).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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