Among 178 acute psychiatric inpatients, 46% (82 patients) were readmitted during follow-up, with readmission risk increased by prior frequent admissions, risk to others, and alcohol intoxication.
Observational (n=178)
No
OBJECTIVE: This study was to investigate factors influencing the length of stay and predictors for the risk of readmission at an acute psychiatric inpatient unit. METHOD: Two comparative studies were embedded in a retrospective cross-sectional clinical file audit. A randomly selected 226 episodes of admissions including 178 patients during a twelve-month period were reviewed. A total of 286 variables were collected and analysed. A case control study was employed in the study of length of stay. A retrospective cohort study was used to investigate the predictors for the risk of readmission. RESULTS: Logistic regression analyses showed that 10 variables were associated with length of stay. Seclusion during the index admission, accommodation problems and living in an area lacking community services predicted longer stay. During the follow-up period 82 patients (46%) were readmitted. Cox regression analyses showed 9 variables were related to the risk of readmission. Six of these variables increased the risk of readmission, including history of previous frequent admission, risk to others at the time of the index admission and alcohol intoxication. More active and assertive treatment in the community post-discharge decreased the risk of readmission. CONCLUSIONS: Length of stay is multifactorially determined. Behavioural manifestations of illness and lack of social support structures predicted prolonged length of stay. Good clinical practice did not necessarily translate to a shorter length of stay. Therefore, length of stay is predictable, but not readily modifiable within the clinical domain. Good clinical practice within the community following discharge likely reduces the risk of readmission. Quality of inpatient care does not influence the risk of readmission, which therefore raises a question about the validity of using the rate of readmission as an outcome measure of psychiatric inpatient care.
Zhang et al. (Thu,) conducted a observational in Acute psychiatric illness (n=178). Clinical and social factors (e.g., seclusion, accommodation problems, prior admissions) was evaluated on Length of stay and risk of readmission. Among 178 acute psychiatric inpatients, 46% (82 patients) were readmitted during follow-up, with readmission risk increased by prior frequent admissions, risk to others, and alcohol intoxication.