Trends in Utilization of Adult Psychiatric Beds in Virginia

R.J. Bonnie, S.A. Larocco
February 2018

PRODUCED BY THE
Institute of Law, Psychiatry, and Public Policy at the University of Virginia.

Over the past five years, admissions to state psychiatric hospitals have increased by 55%. This report looks at the changing nature of those admissions, as admissions under temporary detention orders are taking up an increasing share of hospital capacity. The greatest increase in state hospital admissions occurred in the 2016 fiscal year, and this increase was driven by temporary detention orders. Forensic admissions have been increasing steadily, but more slowly, and other civil admissions have been in sharp decline.