[Gerontopsychiatry in the community--results of a gerontopsychiatric outpatient network].
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of a three-year pilot project which aims to improve the quality of care of gerontopsychiatric patients. The project goal was to expand regionally organized outpatient services.


METHODS
We examined the profile (n=1004) and course (n=790) of patients treated at the Kaufbeuren regional Gerontopsychiatric Centre on the basis of sociodemographic, clinical, and care-requirement variables.


RESULTS
There was a diagnostic predominance of dementia and depression. During the running time of the pilot project, only 13 % of the patients had to be admitted to inpatient care.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that the quality of gerontopsychiatric care improves through consistent efforts that are outpatient-oriented, mobile and multiprofessionally organized.
Valdes-Stauber
Juan
J
Bezirkskrankenhaus Kaufbeuren, Germany. juan.valdes@bkh-kaufbeuren.de
Nissle
Klaus
K
Schäfer-Walkmann
Susanne
S
von Cranach
Michael
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005852:Geriatric Psychiatry / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors