title: [Regional differences in the care and treatment of compulsory admissions in the Netherlands].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the Netherlands compulsory admissions are on the increase. However, there are regional differences even when demographic factors are taken into account.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To find out whether there are regional differences in the type and duration of care given to detainees.
  
  
  METHODS
  On the basis of case-register data for Groningen, South Limburg, Utrecht and Rotterdam, we monitored the psychiatric history and aftercare that followed emergency compulsory admissions and we analysed the differences between patient groups ('old acquaintances', 'newcomers' and 'passers-by').
  
  
  RESULTS
  Almost 60% of patients were well known to the mental health care service and had previously received psychiatric care. 85% of the patients were still receiving care three months after admission. Even when patient and admission characteristics were taken into account, there were still regional variations in the type and length of mental health care episodes before and after compulsory admission.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The continuity of health care for emergency admissions in the context of the Dutch Mental Health Act varies from region to region. It remains to be seen whether the situation will change when the new Mental Health Act comes into force.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatrie van het Erasmus MC, Rotterdam. a.wierdsma@erasmusmc.nl
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Wierdsma
authors.forename: G A M
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Driessen
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Smeets
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Visser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010359:Patient Readmission; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult