We apply the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Practice Guideline Standards (2006) to determine the right level of care: inpatient, residential, partial or intensive outpatient.

The severity of an eating disorder determines which level of care is appropriate. These descriptions are based on the APA Guidelines.

Inpatient

Medically Unstable

• Unstable or depressed vital signs
• Laboratory findings presenting acute risk
• Complications due to coexisting medical problems such as diabetes mellitus

Psychiatrically Unstable

• Symptoms worsening at rapid rate
• Suicidal and unable to contract for safety

Residential

• Medically stable so does not require intensive medical interventions such as NG feeds, IV fluids or daily lab work
• Psychiatrically impaired and unable to respond to partial hospital or outpatient treatment
• Possible plan for suicide, no intent
• Needs supervision with all meals or will restrict eating
• Complete role impairment, requires structure to prevent compulsive exercising
• Lacks treatment structure and support system at home

Partial Hospital

Medically Stable

• Eating disorder may impair functioning but not causing immediate acute risk
• Needs daily assessment of physiological and mental status

Psychiatrically Stable

• Unable to function in normal social, educational, or vocational situations, but not suicidal
• Daily bingeing, purging, severely restricted intake, or other pathogenic weight control techniques

Intensive Outpatient/Outpatient

Medically Stable

• No longer needs daily medical monitoring

Psychiatrically Stable

• Symptoms in sufficient control to be able to function in normal social, educational, or vocational situations and continue to make progress in recovery.