title: [The Alliance Programme: an integrated care pathway for patients with schizophrenia].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Experiences and results of implementation of an integrated care pathway (ICP) for patients with schizophrenia are described.
  
  
  METHODS
  The participants of the ICP were the hospital psychiatry unit, the community mental health team and the social psychiatry unit. The article reviews the collaboration in connection with patient hospitalization and discharge. The study includes 224 patients, who fulfill the ICD 10 criteria for schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorder. The patients were interviewed at admission to and discharge from the Psychiatric Department. During hospitalization, the staff filled in a check list establishing whether the established procedures were complied with in each individual case. The Outpatient Section filled in a similar check list. In addition, information from the local registry concerning the hospitalization pattern during the first 12 months after discharge was obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As a result of the ICP, collaboration was stimulated. During the first year disagreement between sectors with regard to the degree of compliance with the introduced procedures during hospitalization was observed (p > 0.05). Disagreement concerning the degree of compliance with procedures at admission was observed throughout the observation period (p > 0.05). Neither frequency of re-hospitalization nor inpatient bed costs were significantly reduced.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ICP required considerable resource allocation, and the results of the effort were minimal. The ineffective initiatives were subsequently phased out.
authors.affiliation: Psykiatrisk Afdeling, Odense Universitetshospital, DK-5000 Odense C. bent.nielsen@ouh.regionsyddanmark.dk
authors.forename: Bent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sigsgaard
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gregersen
authors.forename: Bente
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meilvang
authors.forename: Lene Leth
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Halldorsson
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: Else
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kirk
authors.forename: Vagn
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hansen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D019091:Critical Pathways / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010343:Patient Admission; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration; D010351:Patient Discharge; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D012949:Social Work, Psychiatric