Business values and quality in psychiatric hospital treatment.

The last decade has seen an enormous increase in the use of business techniques in the ownership and operation of psychiatric hospitals. Many physicians have reacted negatively to these developments and have raised many concerns about their impact on patient care. However, commercialism in hospitals is not new. Certain key business values, including attention to a guiding mission statement, the needs of consumers, accountability, and marketing, have a positive impact on the quality of milieu treatment.