Acute hospitalization

The ward, which treats patients with more severe mental health problems who therefore require a higher level of supervision, prioritises patient safety and is designed to minimise the risk of any danger. The programme includes individual and, above all, group therapeutic activities. These are emergency admissions, such as acute psychotic episodes, severe depressive disorders, manic episodes, acute substance use disorders, conditions following suicide attempts and other urgent problems.

Wards with a lower level of supervision are intended for patients who are already able to participate in an intensive therapeutic programme. This programme consists primarily of group psychotherapy and complementary therapies, including music therapy, art therapy and drama therapy. Other possible treatment methods include advanced neurostimulation techniques utilising low-intensity direct current stimulation (tDCS) and magnetic stimulation (rTMS). The structure of the entire therapeutic programme has been developed by the leading Czech psychiatrist, Prof. MUDr. Ján Praško Pavlov, Csc.

The main aim of this type of acute care is the basic stabilisation of patients’ mental state and education regarding their further treatment. We strive to tailor the treatment plan to each patient so that it best reflects the specific nature and severity of their mental health issues.

The Rehabilitation Hospital Beroun has received a grant for the ‘Development of Acute Psychiatric Care’ project, which aims to increase the availability of acute psychiatric care, improve the transparency of the system and strengthen the capacity of healthcare providers to deliver this care. The project will also help to ensure adequate financial remuneration for acute psychiatric care. The project is co-financed by the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus and the Employment Plus Operational Programme.

Patients are accommodated in double rooms, which have their own sanitary facilities. Each of the patients thus has enough peace and privacy for effective and successful treatment. On the ward they will also find community areas and a special room designed to de-escalate tension and provide an opportunity to release aggression or tension.

In addition, those patients who are referred by their physician may use other CDR facilities such as the swimming pool, fitness center or library as part of their therapy program.

Each day starts with a wake-up call at 7:20. After the morning hygiene, it is time for a warm-up with a story and after that a breakfast combined with the dispensing of medication. This is followed by a rounding session where patients can discuss their health status with the attending physician. There is also a more extensive rounding once a week, which is attended by the CDR chief physician. The morning program concludes with a community meeting for all patients and staff.

Patients fill the rest of the morning with therapeutic activities such as physical or creative activities. After these activities, lunch is served along with the dispensing of medication.

The afternoon is then marked by therapy sessions, either group or individual. There is also space for leisure time or visits from relatives. It all depends on the specific treatment plan and the patient's state of health.

The administration of dinner and medication marks the transition of the day into its evening phase. From quarter to eight, a two-hour block runs with relaxation, a community meeting and a club, an activity organised by patients that helps to relax and bring the team together.

Fifteen minutes before ten o'clock, the nightly medication is dispensed. The nightly rest period starts at 10 pm, during which everyone goes to sleep to recharge their batteries for the next day.