A new approach in psychiatric care delivery.

A unique approach for service in psychiatric care delivery has been used in a psychiatric setting at two sequentially tested inpatient locations. The patients in one setting were children and adolescents and in the other adolescents and adults. The approach used a psychiatric team comprising a psychiatrist, registered nurses, social workers, and a nurse practitioner. An overview of the psychiatric care delivery approach as it affects staff and patients is provided. The goal of this team-based model of service delivery is to provide quality care to patients in a caring and cost-effective manner.