[Patient suitability for discharge from psychiatric hospitals].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the possibility of discharging psychiatric inpatients of two large Mental Hospitals in Lower Austria.


METHODS
A point prevalence study was performed in 1992. Treating psychiatrists were asked to evaluate the possibility to discharge patients under the hypothetical assumption that a broad range of residential facilities were available.


RESULTS
The inpatient proportion had decreased from 2179 in 1974 to 1032 in 1992. Of the 1992 population 75.7% might be discharged. Most patients (41.5%) were regarded as needing a permanently staffed home.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the inpopulation of the two large Mental Hospitals studied had decreased over a period of 18 years already by over 50 percent, the results of this study show that there is a large potential for further reform. Since the evaluation was carried out by the treating psychiatrists in the hospital, who might have been in a conflict of interests or might have preferred the treatment they are providing themselves, this finding is particularly remarkable.
Etzersdorfer
E
E
Universitätsklinik für Tiefenpsychologie und Psychotherapie, Wien.
Wancata
J
J
Fischer
P
P
Windhaber
J
J
Eichberger
G
G
Katschnig
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001317:Austria; D003688:Deinstitutionalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D016352:Group Homes / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
Uber die Entlassbarkeit von Patienten in psychiatrischen Krankenhäusern.