Trauma Recovery Services for Psychiatric Inpatients

ABSTRACT This study describes the creation, operation, patient characteristics, and outcomes of a new hospital-wide, trauma-recovery service in a Maryland state psychiatric hospital. We identified psychiatric admissions who had trauma, causing current distress. Our assessments included a structured clinical interview, the Trauma Symptom Checklist-40, and the Trauma Symptom Inventory. Outcomes included service utilization, average group attendance, and patient satisfaction. During the 1st year of operation (February 2004–February 2005), 490 of 752 admissions (65.1%) were screened for trauma. Of those, 256 (52%) were identified and referred for treatment, and 161 received specialized treatment. Compared to other admissions, trauma survivors were more likely to be Caucasian and have mood or substance use diagnoses. A trauma diagnosis was present in the record of only 2.34% of survivors. We conclude that psychiatric inpatients may have high rates of trauma and current distress, and they may benefit from integrated treatment that is associated with good outcomes.