Oilers Fans + Conan:

http://www.superobamaworld.com/

Same as two weeks ago... Mike is bringing over Rock Band for all to enjoy. Come over anytime after 6:30 for Rock Band and the movie at 8:30 (supplied by Paras)

Yeah, Leo, that's what I said: formal patients are generally on closed units. That doesn't mean closed units are only populated by formal patients.

To be fair, my experience with a closed psych unit was a three-week selective, but most of the patients I saw were committed formally, at least on admission. They may not necessarily get their certificate renewed, but that form was on the chart at one point. I'm sure it's institution-dependent as well, though; some are more willing to certify a patient than others.

Of course, a formal patient is the only one you can legally keep on a closed unit against their will; anyone else has every right to leave against medical advice, just like any other patient in the hospital.

That's not completely true Paras. Yes it's true that patients who've been declared to lack capacity (under the Mental Health Act) or deemed a risk to others (say via court) are typically on closed units. However there is a significant portion of individuals on closed units who are there completly voluntarily, or begrudgingly there on orders from their doctor. I've been on a closed unit where of the 20+ patients there only one was deemed to lack capacity. The closed unit is simply a means of program reinforcement. And works, much to the dismay of many patients!

Sure thing Paras. You are more than welcome to bring the movie. I look forward to it.

Obama thinks he is a good talker, but he is often undisciplined when he speaks. He needs to understand that as President, his words will be scrutinized and will have impact whether he intends it or not. In this regard, President Bush is an excellent model; Obama should take a lesson from his example. Bush never gets sloppy when he is speaking publicly. He chooses his words with care and precision, which is why his style sometimes seems halting. In the eight years he has been President, it is remarkable how few gaffes or verbal blunders he has committed. If Obama doesn't raise his standards, he will exceed Bush's total before he is inaugurated.

I've got a good one for this week picked out already if you don't mind, Rich.

After missing last week, I believe we decided on Bad Movie Night at my place at 8:30. I guess I'll pick the movie since I haven't picked for a while.

Yeah, my experience with locked units matches up with Leo's. Formal patients (who qualify as both flight risks and risks of harming self or others) are generally in there. And while going into one of these rooms alone without telling anyone you're going isn't the best of ideas, it's probably not as dangerous as you'd think. Even the patients who have a history of being aggressive (like the 6'9" schizophrenic that I had to do an admission history/physical on) are medically restrained if they pose a danger.

But yeah, still, not the best of ideas. Then again, they do have those little personal alarm things for students...