P02-100 - Patient Follow-up and Readmission in the Psychiatric Ward of a General Hospital

Abstract

Background

Study focuses on the way patients are followed-up after discharge. This aims in determining continuity of follow up and possibly gaining insight in the need of patients for readmission; also, approaching the possible influence of follow-up on patients’ admission-free time interval.

Methods

Sample consists of patients admitted in our department from August 2007 until January 2008. Telephone structured interview was used to gather information. Questions focused on patients’ present follow up state and any re-admissions in a psychiatric ward. Answers were either given directly by patients or by a member of patients’ family. For information to be representative, three calls were made to each patient on different occasions; only then was the answer considered as valid for inclusion in the study.

Results

Of 198 patients admitted, 105 (53%) could be reached.

Of those admitted, mean value of hospitalization time was 21.38 days. Specifically, among re-admitted patients, mean time of first hospitalization was 20.52 days. Among non re-admitted ones respective value was 21.73 days; upon comparison, no statistically significant difference was found (t-test).

Out of 105 reached: 73.3% are still being followed-up, 26.6% are not; 41.55% are followed-up in our outpatient ward whilst 36.3% visit private practices. 3.8% are followed-up at community primary mental health care services. 73.3% have not been readmitted ever since discharge

Conclusions

The majority of patients are followed up at our department's outpatient ward. Patients followed-up at private practices are less whereas much less are followed up at primary psychiatric community care services.