Malingering, deceptive, or disruptive patients: what do you do when you encounter a patient who is resistant to discharge yet does not exhibit a clinical need for continued inpatient care? In this article, we review the key steps of the administrative discharge process.

Each psychiatric hospital setting offers its own unique challenges and rewards. You might appreciate the clinical autonomy and resources available in private hospitals, tackle complex cases in state hospitals, or balance research and teaching in academic environments. Non-profits focus on underserved populations, VA hospitals specialize in veteran care, and forensic hospitals blend psychiatry with legal work. The right choice for you depends on your interests and the challenges you're prepared to take on.

We delve into the quality measures that psychiatric hospitals must follow, including IPFQR and HBIPS standards, to ensure compliance with CMS and Joint Commission requirements. You’ll learn why these measures matter and how they impact your daily work

Token economies utilize a system where positive behaviors are rewarded with tokens that can be exchanged for desired items or privileges, fostering increased patient engagement and autonomy. We outline the essential steps for initiating and overseeing a token economy within a psychiatric unit.