PS 1996; 47:527-528
Copyright © 1996 by American Psychiatric Association
Partial hospitalization at night: the Brussels Nighthospital
M De Hert, E Thys, V Vercruyssen and J Peuskens
Psychosociaal Centrum (PSC) St.-Alexius, Brusssels, Belgium.
This paper describes the Brussels Nighthospital, which has offered partial
hospitalization to young chronic psychiatric patients since 1978. The
hospital's rehabilitation program provides evening treatment and nighttime
accommodations to approximately 44 individuals, who live in the facility
for about a year. During the day patients are engaged in useful activities
outside the facility. The night hospital has developed a network of such
placements. Psychotherapy and family support groups are also offered. A
follow-up study of 120 patients (mean time after discharge = 4.2 years)
showed that most maintained their achieved level of adaptation and
continued to live in the community engaged in useful activities.
