The Special Psychiatric Hospital "Dobrota" in Kotor continues to face serious spatial and staffing challenges. Although it has 233 hospital beds, the institution currently has between 285 and 295 patients undergoing treatment, said the hospital's director, primarius Dr. Jovo Đedović, in an appearance on the show "Boje jutra" on Television Vijesti.
Speaking about the suicide of a patient who had previously attempted suicide several times, Đedović said that it was one of the most serious adverse events that can occur in psychiatric institutions.
"Suicide in a psychiatric hospital is the most serious adverse event that can occur in institutions of our type," said Đedović.
Following the Ombudsman's findings, the hospital, he said, developed a special protocol for dealing with patients at risk of suicide. The protocol, he said, has entered into force and has been submitted to the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, as well as to the competent institutions in Montenegro.
Additional employee training has also been initiated.
"We have it, but the situation could definitely be better in terms of capacity, especially for nursing staff," said Đedović.
Therapy and modern methods of treatment
Referring to allegations that therapy at the institution lags behind modern standards, Đedović said that this cannot be generalized when it comes to antipsychotics.
According to him, almost all second-generation antipsychotics are available in Montenegro, as well as some third-generation drugs, which are also used in the hospital in Dobrota.
He singled out the use of benzodiazepines, or drugs for calming and anxiety, as a particular problem.
"Montenegro is a country that has a significantly higher rate of prescribing benzodiazepines than antidepressants," said Đedović, stating that this is a problem that goes beyond the hospital itself.
He added that the use of alprazolam, a drug most commonly found on the market under the names "Xanax" and "Xalol", is excluded in the addiction department.
More space for occupational therapy
Đedović also said that in the previous period, the capacities of occupational therapy have been significantly increased, through changes in systematization and the employment of a larger number of therapists.
"The hospital has definitely changed and what the CPT pointed out in its findings of the recent visit is the significantly strengthened occupational therapy capacities," he said.
According to him, the institution also collaborates with organizations that contribute additional content for patients.
Forensic patients still a problem
One of the challenges that has been previously noted is the accommodation of forensic patients, i.e. persons who have been sentenced to psychiatric treatment after committing a criminal offense, together with patients who have not committed criminal offenses.
Đedović confirmed that the issue of separate accommodation of these categories of patients continues to be a problem, especially considering the limited spatial capacities of the institution.
The most concrete indicator of the current situation is the number of patients.
"The hospital has 233 beds. Currently, or rather over the past few days, the total number of patients in the hospital ranges between 285 and 295 who are undergoing hospital treatment," said Đedović.
This means that the number of patients is currently more than 50, and on some days more than 60, above the official capacity of 233 beds.
The problem of lack of space and staff thus remains one of the key challenges for the functioning of the "Dobrota" Special Hospital, while the announced adaptations of hospital pavilions and additional strengthening of medical staff are expected.
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