Predictors for readmission risk of new patients: the Nordic Comparative Study on Sectorized Psychiatry.
OBJECTIVE
Predictors for readmission risk were investigated in this study, which forms part of the Nordic Comparative Study on Sectorized Psychiatry.


METHODS
Included were a total of 837 consecutive 'new' patients (not in contact with the psychiatric services for at least 18 months) admitted to in-patient stay during a period of 1 year to seven psychiatric hospitals in four Nordic countries.


RESULTS
Multivariate survival analyses showed that younger age predicted increased readmission risk. Stratifying on gender, diagnostic group and sector revealed a general pattern concerning age which was the only consistent main effect. Living alone and unemployed increased readmission risk in the non-psychosis group, while receipt of aftercare decreased readmission risk in the psychosis group. A curvilinear relationship was found between availability of psychiatric resources and readmission risk: an intermediate amount of resources was associated with increased risk.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings support a hypothesis that readmission risk is multifactorially determined and that interactions have to be considered.
Oiesvold
T
T
Salten Psychiatric Centre, Nordland Psychiatric Hospital, Bodø, Norway.
Saarento
O
O
Sytema
S
S
Vinding
H
H
Göstas
G
G
Lönnerberg
O
O
Muus
S
S
Sandlund
M
M
Hansson
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012537:Scandinavian and Nordic Countries; D016019:Survival Analysis