For over fifty years, The Association for Ambulatory Behavioral Healthcare has served as a conduit for best practices and networking in the industry. Our mission is to promote Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient Programs as a vital component of the Behavioral Healthcare Continuum. Our vision is to provide education, advocacy and support for Partial Hospitalization Programs and Intensive Outpatient Programs.
ARE THERE GUIDELINES FOR THE TREATMENT OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS?
Yes, a specific set of criteria for Partial Hospitalization treatment of children and adolescents has recently been published. The use of Partial Hospitalization means that unnecessary, inappropriate and costly inpatient treatment may be avoided. More information can be found in the publication “Standards For Child and Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Programs.”
HOW HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MAKING PARTIAL HOSPITALIZATION A PART OF MY BENEFITS PROGRAM?
The Association for Ambulatory Behavioral Healthcare, representing hundreds of providers and professionals across the United States, is a leading advocate in the field. AABH welcomes the opportunity to assist you with learning more about Partial Hospitalization and ways to integrate it into your benefits program. Please use the contact form on this site to ask for more information.
CAN PARTIAL HOSPITALIZATION IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF MENTAL HEALTHCARE?
Absolutely! There is a financial component to providing mental healthcare, as costs continue to rise rapidly. The direct and indirect savings that can be realized through the use of Partial Hospitalization as an alternative to inpatient treatment mean that significant resources will be saved. These resources could provide more services to a larger audience without sacrificing clinical quality or causing overall costs to increase.
HOW CAN THESE GUIDELINES HELP
MY BUSINESS?
Partial Hospitalization benefits an organization in two major ways. First, Partial Hospitalization is an avenue of providing clinically equivalent mental healthcare expenses at a much lower cost than inpatient treatment. The direct savings over inpatient benefits are usually 40 to 60 percent and more than 60 percent in some instances. Second, there are indirect savings because an employee involved in Partial Hospitalization treatment may be able to work on at least a limited basis, thus maintaining productivity. There is significant evidence that those who successfully complete Partial Hospitalization treatment generally will require future inpatient treatment on a less-frequent basis, if at all.
HOW DO I EVALUATE THE QUALITY OF A PARTIAL HOSPITALIZATION PROGRAM?
There are specific criteria that a Partial Hospitalization Program should meet, as described in “Standards and Guidelines for Partial Hospitalization.” These guidelines are recommended by the American Association for Partial Hospitalization, and are supported by its members. Programs which do not meet these guidelines should not be designated as Partial Hospitalization.
WHAT CONSTITUTES A PARTIAL HOSPITALIZATION PROGRAM?
Partial Hospitalization programs may be offered in many different settings, from free-standing, community-based programs to larger psychiatric or medical systems, including treatment in traditional hospitals. To qualify as a Partial Hospitalization Program, the treatment must have a specified structure; be offered within a specific and limited timeframe; have clear guidelines for admission, evaluation, program and discharge; provide clinically appropriate treatment; and utilize professional staff.
WHO MIGHT BENEFIT FROM A PARTIAL HOSPITALIZATION?
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Individuals who benefit from Partial Hospitalization include those experiencing acute psychiatric symptoms, those who otherwise might be hospitalized without the ongoing support of a Partial Hospitalization Program, or those unable to function autonomously on a day-to-day basis. Treatment may be directed toward crisis stabilization through intensive programming or intermediate term treatment, through more extended clinical services.
WHAT IS A PARTIAL HOSPITALIZATION
PROGRAM ?
A Partial Hospitalization Program, i.e., PHP, is defined as
“a time-limited, ambulatory, active treatment program that offers therapeutically intensive, coordinated, and structured clinical services within a stable therapeutic milieu.” This modality, or method of treatment, is an alternative to hospitalization and offers the flexibility to deal with a very wide range of conditions.
HOW WERE THESE GUIDELINES
DEVELOPED?
Both sets of these standards and guidelines represent collaborative efforts. Highly qualified, experienced professionals representing a diverse group of specializations and experience contributed freely and actively in the creation of these materials. The results are criteria that approach Partial Hospitalization care from an unbiased, independent and realistic viewpoint.
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AN OVERVIEW OF THE PARTIAL HOSPITALIZATION MODALITY
HOW DOES PARTIAL HOSPITALIZATION COMPARE WITH OTHER OPTIONS?
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Where does it fit into the continuum? Partial Hospitalization fits into the continuum of mental healthcare as the option that combines the best facets of inpatient care (strict criteria and intensive care) with the best of outpatient care (schedule flexibility and lower costs). Patients who represent no imminent danger to themselves or others may receive the intensive clinical treatments that their conditions require without the expense of hospitalization. These individualized treatment plans are physician-driven, and include measurable, behavioral and functional goals established in collaboration with the patient and the treatment team. Treatment may be arranged for day, evening or weekends, within the framework of the recommended minimum number of hours per week, so that patients may interact with family, friends, and community and, often, resume work.