title: The effect of an inpatient transition intervention on attendance at the first appointment postdischarge from a psychiatric hospitalization.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Only 42% of initial appointments following psychiatric hospitalization are kept nationally. Missed appointments increase the likelihood of rehospitalization and increase costs of outpatient care.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study explored the feasibility, outcomes, and cost of a transition intervention on attendance at the first postdischarge appointment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A pilot study using a one-group prospective design interviewed 15 patients hospitalized with psychosis to address potential barriers to attendance at the first postdischarge appointment. Patients also identified an agenda for this appointment and received a reminder letter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve (92%) of 13 patients attended the postdischarge appointment compared with the previous rate of 44%. Two additional patients were unable to attend because they had been rehospitalized before the scheduled time of the first appointment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Contact with a clinician who can bridge the gap between discharge and the first postdischarge appointment is feasible and may be helpful in increasing attendance rates.
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. cbatscha@uic.edu
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Batscha
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McDevitt
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Weiden
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dancy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000628:therapy