A psychiatric intensive care unit for older adults: an interval comparison of admissions.

Background: Published information on psychiatric intensive care provision and requirements of older adults is limited. This audit aims to describe and compare demographic data, clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients admitted to a Scottish regional psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) for older adults during two 18-month periods five years apart.

Method: Data on all patients admitted to the PICU for older adults during the two sample periods, commencing 2001 and 2006 respectively, were collected prospectively by the clinical care team, and included information on previous psychiatric contact and detentions under mental health legislation, diagnoses, cognitive ratings, reasons for transfer to the PICU, treatments and outcomes.