From inpatient to inn status. A new residential model.

This article presents a new residential model that has been developed at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center. The "dormitory-inn" provides an alternative to 24-hour inpatient hospitalization for patients who traditionally would have been admitted and retained on inpatient services. Issues covered include hours and location, referrals, requirements for staff, medical and nursing coverage, and a review of the efficacy of the program.