Hospitalized younger: a comparison of a national sample of homeless and housed inpatient veterans.

Background: Homelessness is associated with high rates of hospitalizations and age-adjusted mortality. Few studies have examined whether homeless people are admitted to the hospital at an earlier age than the general population or for different diagnoses.

Methods: We compared the age at admission and the primary discharge diagnoses in a national sample of 43,868 hospitalized veterans.

A longitudinal perspective on monitoring outcomes of an innovative program.

Objectives: The use of outcome assessment to evaluate the performance of programs over many years of operation is becoming an increasingly important aspect of health care management. Over a five-year period of program monitoring, this study examined changes in individual client outcomes three months after discharge from a residential work therapy program for veterans with severe substance use disorders. The study also examined the relationship between these outcomes and changing program features, such as staffing, treatment variables, and follow-up rates.

A national survey of the oral health status of homeless veterans.

Objectives: This study reports results from a survey designed to (1) assess the oral health needs of a national sample of homeless veterans and (2) compare the dental needs of homeless veterans participating in VA-sponsored rehabilitation programs with domiciled veterans in VA substance addiction programs.

Methods: Homeless veterans enrolled in a nationwide rehabilitation program (n = 1,152) completed a survey including questions concerning patients' perceptions of their oral health, dental service needs and use, and alcohol and tobacco use. A sample of these veterans (n = 281) subsequently received dental exams.

Continuity of care and clinical effectiveness: outcomes following residential treatment for severe substance abuse.

Background: Continuity of care (COC) has often been viewed as a crucial indicator of treatment quality for patients with severe psychiatric or addictive disorders. However, the relationship between COC and clinical outcomes has received little empirical evaluation.

Research Design: This study used hierarchical linear modeling to examine the relationship between six indicators of COC and seven outcome measures addressing symptoms, substance abuse, and social functioning.