Predictors for readmission risk of new patients: the Nordic Comparative Studyon Sectorized Psychiatry

OBJECTIVE: Predictors for readmission risk were investigated in this study, which forms part of the Nordic Comparative Study on Sectorized Psychiatry. METHOD: Included were a total of 837 consecutive 'new' patients (not in contact with the psychiatric services for at least 18 months) admitted to in-patient stay during a period of 1 year to seven psychiatric hospitals in four Nordic countries. RESULTS: Multivariate survival analyses showed that younger age predicted increased readmission risk. Stratifying on gender, diagnostic group and sector revealed a general pattern concerning age which was the only consistent main effect. Living alone and unemployed increased readmission risk in the non-psychosis group, while receipt of aftercare decreased readmission risk in the psychosis group. A curvilinear relationship was found between availability of psychiatric resources and readmission risk: an intermediate amount of resources was associated with increased risk. CONCLUSION: Our findings support a hypothesis that readmission risk is multifactorially determined and that interactions have to be considered.