Citation

Silva M, Antunes A, Loureiro A, Azeredo-Lopes S, Saraceno B, Caldas-de-Almeida JM, Cardoso G. Psychiatry Res. 2020; 293: e113420.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113420

PMID

32861099

Abstract

Assessing the factors that influence duration and number of hospitalizations may support mental health services planning and delivery. This study examines the factors associated with length of stay and readmission in Portuguese psychiatric inpatient services during 2002, 2007 and 2012. Data from all admissions were extracted from clinical files. Logistic regression models estimated the association between length of stay (<17 vs ≥17 days) and number of admissions per year (1 vs >1 admission) with sociodemographic, clinical, and contextual factors. Older age, a diagnosis of psychosis, and compulsory admission were associated with higher odds of longer length of stay. Being married, secondary education, suicide attempt, a diagnosis of substance use and "other mental disorders", being admitted in 2012, and two of the psychiatric inpatient services associated with lower odds of longer length of stay. Being retired (or others), a diagnosis of psychosis, compulsory admission, and psychiatric service were associated with increased odds of readmission. Older age, and secondary and higher education were associated with lower odds of readmission. The findings indicate that multiple factors influence length of stay and readmission. Identifying these factors provides useful evidence for clinicians and policy makers to design more targeted and cost-effective interventions.

Language: en

Keywords

Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Educational Status; Female; Health policy; Hospitalization; Hospitals, Psychiatric; Humans; Inpatients; Length of Stay; Male; Mental Disorders; Mental health services; Mental Health Services; Middle Aged; Patient Readmission; Portugal; Retrospective Studies; Social inequalities; Young Adult