Psychiatric hospitalizations and subsequent use of community services: a pilot study
Health Services Utilization and Research Commission
Record ID 32000000912
English
Authors' objectives:
This report investigates the use of inpatient and subsequent community-care based care for mental health clients in three Saskatchewan health districts.
Authors' results and conclusions:
The findings of this study suggest: - There is significant non-acute use of the three psychiatric units. - Community services do not appear to substitute for longer hospital stays. - Longer hospital stays do not appear to produce better patient outcomes, nor do shorter stays appear to be associated with poorer outcomes. - Post-discharge community service use does not appear to produce better patient outcomes. - Shorter hospital stays are not associated with increased readmission rates.
Authors' recommendations:
The findings of this pilot study are consistent with the literature that shows many mental health patients can be effectively treated with short hospital stays. Saskatchewan patients, however, may be in hospital longer than required. The preliminary data suggest that observation and sub-acute care, as well as better integration and availability of community care, may reduce non-acute use of inpatient services. Based on these findings, HSURC recommends that health districts review their use of inpatient and subsequent community-based care.
Authors' methods:
Pilot study
Details
Project Status:
Completed
URL for project:
http://www.hqc.sk.ca/resources.html
Year Published:
2000
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
Canada
MeSH Terms
- Community Mental Health Services
- Mental Health Services
Contact
Organisation Name:
Health Services Utilization and Research Commission
Contact Address:
Health Services Utilization and Research Committee Box 46, 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon SK S7N 0W8, Canada Tel: (306) 655-1500, Fax: (306) 655-1462
Contact Name:
nisbetb@sdh.sk.ac. This organisation is now closed. Please see the Health Quality Council (HQC) website for further information at: http://www.hqc.sk.ca/.
Contact Email:
nisbetb@sdh.sk.ac. This organisation is now closed. Please see the Health Quality Council (HQC) website for further information at: http://www.hqc.sk.ca/.
Copyright:
Health Services Utilization and Research Commission
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.