Table 1. Core Components of BA by Self-referral¹⁰ Compared With General Admission.

Component	BA	General admission
Contract	The contract states the parameters of the admission as well as its specific components, in which individuals commit to goals for BA, preferred approach from staff, and stress-reducing activities. Responsibilities during BA are stated, such as the need to bring and administer medication, not to harm themselves or others, not to be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, and not to be aggressive.	NA
Negotiation	The contract is discussed, written, and signed by individuals seeking BA, their outpatient clinician, and a nurses’ aide or nurse from the BA ward. The individuals seeking BA receive complete information about the intervention. All individualized parts of the contract are discussed and documented.	NA
Approach	The approach is explicit and should be characterized by warmth, enthusiasm, acceptance, genuineness, openness, validation of current difficulties, and praise of the individuals for managing symptoms by seeking BA.	NA
Receiving admission	Individuals decide when to be admitted with a maximum duration and frequency (ie, 3 nights in a row, 3 times per month). Nurses’ aide or nurse has an admission conversation.	Individuals seek admission but physician makes the decision. Physician and nurse have admission conversations.
During admission	Individuals can have 1-2 daily conversations with ward staff and participate in activities at the ward but not engage in any contact with the ward physician, not change treatment, and not receive medication from the ward. Individuals are responsible for their safety.	Conversations for planning treatment takes place among clinicians across disciplines. Medication is provided by the ward. The ward is responsible for safety.
Discharge	Individuals are discharged by a nurses’ aide or a nurse. Admission longer than 3 nights is not negotiable.	Individuals are discharged after decision by a senior physician. Negotiable length of admission.
Premature discharge	Not following the commitments in the contract (eg, engaging in self-harm) results in premature discharge alongside a discussion of what went wrong for the purpose of future learning.	Self-harm or suicidal behavior usually results in prolonged admissions.

Abbreviations: BA, brief admission; NA, not applicable.