Psychiatric Intensive Care Service
For people aged 18-64 years of age
The Alfred Psychiatry Intensive Care Statewide Service (APICSS) is a 4 bed service located within the Alfred Psychiatry ground floor inpatient unit.
What we do
The goals of care are to:
- treat acute symptoms and behavioural difficulties which have made treatment difficult at the referring service
- provide expert, short-term, individualised care in a safe, secure and therapeutic environment
- provide best practice multidisciplinary care
- facilitate supported return of the patient to their referring service as soon as appropriate
Who we care for
Our APICSS service looks after inpatients of the Victorian Area Mental Health Services (AMHS) who present with significant behavioural and/or treatment difficulties in that setting.
What to expect
Within 24 hours of arrival to APICSS a patient will receive a thorough and comprehensive nursing and medical assessment and an individualised care and treatment plan is developed.
Family and/or carers will be contacted by a member of the treating team to confirm arrival into APICSS and outline admission goals. As soon as possible a meeting will be conducted with the family.
APICSS patients are reviewed daily by the multidisciplinary team. On a weekly basis, the patient’s APICSS nurse or nurse manager will contact the referring service nurse manager to provide an update of clinical care and discharge planning.
There is ongoing phone communication and case conferences as needed between APICSS and the referring service to facilitate discharge back to the referring service when appropriate.
Commonly asked questions
Can I smoke?
Alfred Health is a smoke free environment. Cigarettes, alcohol and illicit substances and their use are not permitted anywhere on the ward. Quitting is great for your health! This is an opportunity to give it a go.
If you decide to quit, we’ll offer you information, support and encouragement. It’s also OK if you just want help to cope with withdrawals during your admission. If you decide to cope with withdrawals, we will offer you support to help you get through your admission. If you are suffering from withdrawal please discuss this with your nurse and psychiatrist as we can help.
What are the visiting hours?
We welcome visitors on the ward. We encourage visitors between the hours of 10.00 am – 8.00 pm on the main (low dependency) part of the ward. Visiting hours are between 1.30 pm – 7.00 pm in the high dependency part of the ward. Visiting outside of these hours can be arranged.
Will I have leave?
When you first arrive on the ward, you will not be granted leave. This is to allow the treating team to assess how you are going and your response to treatment. This will be reviewed regularly and adjusted as appropriate.
Can I stay at the Alfred after I have finished acute treatment?
After you have finished acute treatment with us, you will be transferred back to the service from which you were referred. Ongoing treatment and care and planning for discharge will be through the referring service.
What to bring
Every time you come
- Medicare card
- Health Care Card and/or concession card (if you have one)
- Private health insurance card (if applicable/if you want to use it)
- Adverse drug alert card (if you have one)
- Previous X-ray films, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results or reports
- Medicines you need to take while you are here
- List of medicines you are currently taking (or the boxes), including medicines you have bought without a prescription, such as herbal supplements and vitamins
- Glasses, hearing aid(s) and/or walking frame if needed
For an overnight (or longer) stay
- Dressing gown and slippers, or comfortable day clothes and shoes
- Personal hygiene items, such as shampoo, shaving equipment, toothpaste and deodorant
- Something to do - like a book to read, a magazine or an iPad or tablet with headphones
What not to bring for an overnight (or longer) stay
- Your handbag, wallet, purse or large amounts of cash
- Valuables, such as jewellery or watches
Resources
All patient resources-
Mental Health Australia
The peak, national non-government organisation representing and promoting the interests of the Australian mental health sector.
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Mental Health First Aid
First aid information and courses for mental health problems
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Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)
The IMHA supports people who are receiving compulsory mental health treatment to make decisions and have as much say as possible about their assessment, treatment and recovery.