Rehospitalization of Psychiatric Patients in a Managed Care Environment

Authors: Moran P.W.¹; Doerfler L.A.²; Scherz J.¹; Lish J.D.³

Source: Mental Health Services Research, Volume 2, Number 4, December 2000 , pp. 191-198(8)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

This study examined predictors of readmission to a general hospital psychiatric unit that provided acute inpatient care. Participants were 370 patients admitted to the inpatient unit over a 15-month period. During this period, 105 (28%) patients were readmitted to the unit. Readmitted patients were compared to patients who were not readmitted on (a) symptom improvement during hospitalization, (b) psychosocial and clinical variables, and (c) length of hospitalization. The readmitted patients presented with levels of psychological symptoms similar to those of patients who were not readmitted. Moreover, readmitted patients and patients who were not readmitted reported comparable relief in symptom severity during hospitalization. Readmitted patients were more likely to have at least one previous psychiatric hospitalization, be unemployed, be participating in day treatment, and receiving medicare and social security disability insurance. Rehospitalization is a significant problem and the patients' self-reported symptomatology is not a major determinant of readmission for inpatient treatment.

Keywords: rehospitalization; outcome assessment; OQ-45; BASIS-32

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Boston Road Clinic. Center for Psychiatry, St. Vincent Hospital. 2: Center for Psychiatry, St. Vincent Hospital. Assumption College. doerfler@eve.assumption.edu. 3: Capstan, LLC, and Department of Psychiatry, Medical College of Pennsylvania.

Publication date: 2000-12-01