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01-04-2014 | Original Article

Evaluating the clinical effectiveness of a specialized perinatal psychiatry inpatient unit

Authors: Samantha Meltzer-Brody, Anna R. Brandon, Brenda Pearson, Lynne Burns, Christena Raines, Elizabeth Bullard, David Rubinow

Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health | Issue 2/2014

Abstract

Women experiencing severe perinatal mental illness during pregnancy or postpartum have unique needs when psychiatric hospitalization is indicated. Although many countries have established mother–baby psychiatric units, similar facilities have not been available in the US. In 2011, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill inaugurated the first Perinatal Psychiatry Inpatient Unit in the US. We describe the unique characteristics of the patient population and report clinical outcomes guiding development and refinement of treatment protocols. Ninety-two perinatal patients were admitted between September 2011 and September 2012, and 91 completed self-report measures at admission and discharge. Perinatal unipolar mood disorder was the most frequent primary diagnosis (60.43 %), and 11 patients (12 %) were admitted with psychosis. The data document clinically and statistically significant improvements in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and active suicidal ideation between admission and discharge (p < 0.0001), as assessed by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale. Overall functioning was also improved, demonstrated by a significant mean difference of −10.96 in total scores of the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (p < 0.0001). Data suggest that delivering specialized and targeted interventions for severe maternal mental illness in a safe and supportive setting produces positive patient outcomes.

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Title: Evaluating the clinical effectiveness of a specialized perinatal psychiatry inpatient unit
Authors: Samantha Meltzer-Brody
Anna R. Brandon
Brenda Pearson
Lynne Burns
Christena Raines
Elizabeth Bullard
David Rubinow
Publication date: 01-04-2014
Publisher: Springer Vienna
Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health / Issue 2/2014
Print ISSN: 1434-1816
Electronic ISSN: 1435-1102
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-013-0390-7

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Evaluating the clinical effectiveness of a specialized perinatal psychiatry inpatient unit

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

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