The Psychiatric Short Procedure Unit: A Cost-Saving Innovation

Dr. Sharfstein's Introduction: As the rules of reimbursement are being rewritten, it is important that psychiatrists create clinical innovations that make sense from both an economic and a quality-of-care perspective. The psychiatric short procedure unit is such an innovation. As described by the authors of this month's column, it also conceptualizes a new role for the psychiatric emergency service. The short procedure unit not only provides relief for the financial troubles of the psychiatric emergency service but also promises to be a cost-effective option to 24-hour inpatient hospital care.