Thursday, April 17, 2003
National Study of Bipolar Disorder Patients Highlights Potential Impact of Illness PR Newswire item at
PsycPORT - "Results published today in the
Journal of Clinical Psychiatry from the first prevalence and impact survey among people with symptoms of bipolar disorder in the U.S., reveal that the illness significantly disrupts virtually all aspects of their daily lives including work, academic performance and interpersonal relationships. These findings also indicate the disease may disproportionately impact 18-24 year-olds, pointing to the significant burden on this age group of one of the most common mental illnesses."
Officials discuss downtown crisis center for mentally ill (Massachusetts) Boston Globe story - "They are known, variously, as 'frequent fliers,' 'high utilizers,' or 'heavy hitters' - the core group of mentally ill people who cycle in and out of police custody and emergency rooms in a costly and unending shuffle. In the midst of painful cuts to human services, a range of state health officials met yesterday to discuss establishing a new downtown crisis center to find new solutions for these people, matching them with treatment programs that are less expensive than psychiatric beds and more appropriate than jail."
Section 1115 Waivers "The Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured is closely following waiver activity to provide information on how these waivers are impacting the uninsured and affecting Medicaid and SCHIP and the coverage provided to low-income beneficiaries. This page will be updated with our latest materials on waivers including state-specific information and general reports on waiver issues and policies." Included are links to a February 2002 report, a policy brief on Section 1115 waivers and fact sheets on waivers for California, Delaware, Maine, New Mexico, Oregon and Utah (all in
Adobe Acrobat format).
NAMI Offers 10-Point Antidote to Medicaid Rx Restrictions Mental Health Weekly story at
Medscape - "With momentum growing toward states' imposing access restrictions to psychotropic drugs in their Medicaid programs, the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) has issued a 10-point policy that is part association strategy document, part outline of alternatives for states." [Viewing
Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].
Group Psychoeducation Helpful in Bipolar Disorder Article in
Medscape Medical News - "Group psychoeducation is effective in preventing recurrence in patients with bipolar I or II disorder receiving standard medical therapy, according to the results of a study published in the April issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry. According to the editors, this study is important because of the controlled design, the long follow-up period of 24 months, and the disease severity in its subjects." [Viewing
Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].
Dump the DSM Article in the most recent
Psychiatric Times - "Decades of labor have been poured into the formulation of the DSM and its descendants. Is this system of classification still useful and relevant to clinical practice? Should psychiatrists continue to revise it or get rid of it altogether?" See also a companion piece in the same issue,
The DSM: Not Perfect, but Better Than the Alternative.
Improving The Quality Of Medicaid Personal Assistance Through Consumer Direction A web exclusive edition of the journal
Health Affairs. See also the
story at the MIMH Policy Information Exchange - "Medicaid recipients with disabilities who direct their own supportive services were significantly more satisfied and appeared to get better care than those receiving services through home care agencies, according to initial findings of a demonstration project jointly supported by HHS and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. With self-direction, the recipients’ satisfaction and quality of life were improved substantially and unmet needs for care were reduced, without compromising health or safety, the study found." The findings are also available in
Adobe Acrobat format.
Neuse Center OKs workforce reduction (North Carolina) New Bern Sun Journal story - "Systemwide reform of North Carolina's way of providing mental health services closed one area residential facility and eliminated 21 job positions at Neuse Center Tuesday. ... The changes were part of reform that aims to make Neuse Center -- and 19 similar agencies across the state -- the administrator rather than provider of services to those with mental health problems, developmental disabilities or substance-abuse problems."
Staffing shortages trigger failed inspections at Vermont State Hospital Times Argus story on a report from the Licensing and Protection Division of the state Agency of Human Services - "Chronic staff shortages have resulted in a long-standing practice of the hospital’s most troubled patients, those on the Brooks I unit, being locked into their rooms overnight, most without access to restrooms. The inspectors ruled for the first time that the lock-down constituted 'seclusion' for these patients, a violation of patients’ rights, and found that the hospital 'secluded patients as a form of convenience.' ”
County trims budget; more cuts possible (Kansas) Story in the
Wichita Eagle - "Sedgwick County on Wednesday announced another round of cutbacks and planned fee increases totaling $5.5 million, which officials say is necessary to make up a budget shortfall. Even more cuts may be necessary to help the county cope with the loss of income from the financially troubled state government and from a drop in sales and property tax collections. ... Several county programs will be curtailed, including those that provide therapy at 10 Wichita public schools and monitor nutrition to people with serious mental illness."
Mental health service cutbacks on table (North Carolina) Fayetteville Online story - "Cape Fear Valley Health System is considering a plan to reduce or eliminate services at its Behavioral Health Care Centers. Richard Parks, the system's chief executive officer, said board members will discuss the plan during committee meetings next week."
Mental health center action delayed (Wisconsin) Green Bay Press-Gazette story - "New Brown County Executive Carol Kelso will get her first wish — three months to review the needs of the mental health center and the services provided to its occupants. ... Making her first appearance as the county’s chief administrator, Kelso asked the Brown County Board not to revive a plan to build a $32 million facility. And she asked for 90 days to study and review all facets of the mental health center — from operational costs to the potential impacts of state and federal budget problems." For additional background information, see also
Kelso the new face in an old battle over center.
