@article {AbuMadini44, author = {Mahdi S. AbuMadini and Sheik I. Rahim}, title = {Psychiatric admission in a general hospital. Patients profile and patterns of service utilization over a decade}, volume = {23}, number = {1}, pages = {44--50}, year = {2002}, publisher = {Saudi Medical Journal}, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: To analyze the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of admitted patients and the patterns of their service utilization over a decade from March 1988 to March 1998.METHODS: Prospective data compilation using a structured questionnaire, hospital records and follow-up observations at King Fahd Hospital of the University in Al-Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.RESULTS: A total of 1366 patients (683 of each sex) had 2217 admissions in 10 years. By the International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition criteria, 19.5\% had schizophrenia, 15.2\% bipolar disorder, 9.9\% depressive episodes, 8.6\% acute and transient psychotic disorders, 7.7\% adjustment disorders and 7.6\% dissociative disorders. Males were more frequently admitted for schizophrenia and females for mood and anxiety disorders. Most non-Arab expatriates were diagnosed as acute and transient psychotic, stress-related or dissociative disorders. Re-hospitalizations constituted 28\% of all admissions. The mean length of stay was 25 days per admission and 41 days per patient. The overall bed occupancy rate was 84.9\%. A subgroup of 16.9\% of patients, mostly with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, consumed 62.3\% of the bed occupancy.CONCLUSION: Gender and immigration were the main determinants of variance in patient characteristics, nosological distribution and pattern of service use. More beds are needed. Psycho-educational programs should be intensified to reduce the social stigma and societal intolerance to mental patients. Active family involvement improves compliance and might reduce re-hospitalization rates. Heavy service consumers should be transferred to long-stay facilities.}, issn = {0379-5284}, URL = {https://smj.org.sa/content/23/1/44}, eprint = {https://smj.org.sa/content/23/1/44.full.pdf}, journal = {Saudi Medical Journal} }