title: Trends in hospital discharges and dispositions for episodes of co-occurring severe mental illness and substance use disorders.
abstract: This study examined trends in general hospital discharges and dispositions involving episodes of severe mental illness (SMI) with and without co-occurring substance use disorders. We analyzed data from the National Hospital Discharge Survey from 1979 through 2008. Discharges involving SMI and co-occurring substance use disorders (COD) were associated with shorter lengths of stay and had a greater likelihood of being discharged routinely or home and reduced likelihood of being transferred to a short- or long-term facility. Although COD discharges had a greater odds of leaving against medical advice than SMI discharges, this effect was not significant over time. A greater understanding of hospital discharge planning practices is needed to ensure that patients are linked to appropriate aftercare services.
authors: School of Social Work, Academic Learning Commons, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1000 Floyd Avenue, Richmond, VA, 23284, USA, jmanuel3@vcu.edu.
authors: Jennifer I
authors: JI
authors: Manuel
authors: Megan E
authors: ME
authors: Gandy
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Rieker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000639:trends*; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000639:trends*; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000639:trends*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D055815:Young Adult