title: A performance measure for continuity of care after detoxification: relationship with outcomes.
abstract: Administrative data from five states were used to examine whether continuity of specialty substance abuse treatment after detoxification predicts outcomes. We examined the influence of a 14-day continuity of care process measure on readmissions. Across multiple states, there was support that clients who received treatment for substance use disorders within 14-days after discharge from detoxification were less likely to be readmitted to detoxification. This was particularly true for reducing readmissions to another detoxification that was not followed with treatment and when continuity of care was in residential treatment. Continuity of care in outpatient treatment was related to a reduction in readmissions in some states, but not as often as when continuity of care occurred in residential treatment. A performance measure for continuity of care after detoxification is a useful tool to help providers monitor quality of care delivered and to alert them when improvement is needed.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Behavioral Health, The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454-9110. Electronic address: mlee@brandeis.edu.
authors.forename: Margaret T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Institute for Behavioral Health, The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454-9110.
authors.forename: Constance M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Horgan
authors.affiliation: Institute for Behavioral Health, The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454-9110.
authors.forename: Deborah W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Garnick
authors.affiliation: Institute for Behavioral Health, The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454-9110.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Acevedo
authors.affiliation: Institute for Behavioral Health, The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454-9110.
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Panas
authors.affiliation: Institute for Behavioral Health, The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454-9110.
authors.forename: Grant A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Ritter
authors.affiliation: Institute for Behavioral Health, The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454-9110.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dunigan
authors.affiliation: Bureau of Substance Abuse Services, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA 02108.
authors.forename: Hermik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Babakhanlou-Chase
authors.affiliation: Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Hartford, CT 06134.
authors.forename: Alfred
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bidorini
authors.affiliation: Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, The Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA 98501.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.affiliation: Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Hartford, CT 06134.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Haberlin
authors.affiliation: Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, The Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Olympia, WA 98501.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.affiliation: New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, Division of Outcome Management and System Investment, Albany, N.Y. 12203.
authors.forename: Dawn
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lambert-Wacey
authors.affiliation: Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Oklahoma City, OK 73152.
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Leeper
authors.affiliation: Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Oklahoma City, OK 73152.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reynolds
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012114:Residential Treatment / Q000379:methods; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Administrative data; Continuity of care; Detoxification; Performance measures; Readmission