Casemix and affective disorders: a comparison of private and public psychiatric systems.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether there is a difference in length of stay for patients with affective disorders between private and public psychiatric hospitals.


METHODS
The casemix Australian national diagnosis-related group (AN-DRG) diagnoses of all inpatient separations from private and public psychiatric hospitals in South Australia for 1 year were abstracted from records. The average length of stay for patients with affective disorders was calculated.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the average length of stay for patients with affective disorders treated in private and public psychiatric hospitals.


CONCLUSIONS
These results should allay fears that the treatment of patients with affective disorders in any particular treatment setting will be compromised by the introduction of casemix.
Goldney
R D
RD
Adelaide Clinic, Gilberton, Australia.
Elzinga
R H
RH
Kent
P
P
D000341:Affective Disorders, Psychotic / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D001315:Australia; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups / Q000145:classification*; D016304:Hospitals, Private / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006779:Hospitals, Public / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D013021:South Australia