Short stay unit for patients in acute mental health crisis: A case‐control study of readmission rates. (27th December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sveticic, Jerneja; Turner, Kathryn; Bethi, Shailendhra; Krishnaiah, Ravikumar; Williams, Lee; Almeida‐Crasto, Alice; Stapelberg, Nicolas J. C.; Roy, Samit
• Is Part Of: Asia-Pacific psychiatry. Volume 12:Number 1(2020:Mar.)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2019-12-27
• Subjects: hospitalization -- length of stay -- mental health -- patient readmission -- psychiatry; Psychiatry -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; 616.890095
• DOI: 10.1111/appy.12376
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1758-5864

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Past evaluations of psychiatric short stay units have shown positive outcomes for patients, yet very little is known about the factors related to readmissions. Methods: A Short Stay Pathway (SSP) has been introduced on the Gold Coast, Australia, for patients in acute mental health crisis with admissions of up to 3 days. Rates of readmissions within 28 days were compared for SSP patients (N = 678), and a diagnosis‐matched control group of patients from acute mental health beds (N = 1356). Demographic and clinical factors were considered as predictors of subsequent readmissions. Results: Average length of stay for SSP patients was 3.4 days, compared to 7.6 days in the control group. 10.6% of SSP patients and 18.4% of the control group were readmitted within 28 days ( P < .001). For both groups, a 7‐day follow up significantly reduced readmissions ( P < .05). Indigenous patients on SSP had higher odds of readmissions than non‐Indigenous patients ( P < .05), and a diagnosis of a personality disorder increased readmission in the control group but not the SSP group ( P < .001). Discussion: SSP reduced repeated hospitalizations for patients in acute crisis by 42%. An identification of factors related to future admissions can inform future tailoring of this model of care to subgroups of patients.