Scheduled intermittent hospitalization for psychiatric patients.
OBJECTIVE
The effect of scheduled intermittent hospitalization on the hospital utilization, community adjustment, and self-esteem of persons with serious and persistent mental illness was examined in an experimental study.


METHODS
Fifty-seven male veterans, aged 65 or younger, with a primary axis I psychiatric diagnosis who were frequent utilizers of inpatient care over the previous two years were randomly assigned to two groups. Patients in the experimental group were prescheduled for four hospital admissions, each lasting nine to 11 days, per year for two years. Patients in the control group had traditional access to hospital care. Psychiatric bed days, community adjustment, and self-esteem were assessed during and after the intervention.


RESULTS
No differences between the groups on demographic or clinical variables were detected at study entry. The experimental group showed improvement in self-esteem, affect, and complaints of physical symptoms at one year. No statistically significant differences between groups were found in hospital utilization, financial management, substance abuse, or psychological well-being at one year.


CONCLUSIONS
Scheduled intermittent hospitalization may be an appropriate and promising alternative to traditional care for revolving-door patients. This intervention could maintain patients at a higher level of wellness than traditional care and reduce the recurrence of the crises that precipitate hospitalization.
Dilonardo
J D
JD
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Rockville, MD, USA.
Connelly
C E
CE
Gurel
L
L
Seifert
R F
RF
Kendrick
K
K
Deutsch
S I
SI
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004637:Emergency Services, Psychiatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017050:Episode of Care; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000592:standards*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012649:Self Concept; D012917:Social Adjustment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States