An examination of risk factors for readmission to acute adult mental health services within 28 days of discharge in the Australian setting.

Objective: The aim of this paper was to identify risk factors associated with readmission within 28 days of discharge from eight Australian adult acute mental health inpatient services.

Method: A detailed file audit was conducted comparing 222 patients readmitted within 28 days of discharge with 253 patients not readmitted during the same period.

Results: There was an association between early readmission and having had contact with the service in the previous 12 months (51% vs 21%), having been admitted in the previous 12 months (65% vs 36%), and having been diagnosed with an emotionally unstable personality disorder (14% vs 4%).

A qualitative evaluation of a regional Early Psychosis Service 3 years after its commencement.

Objective: To outline the major findings of a qualitative evaluation of an Early Psychosis Service 3 years after its establishment.

Design: Data to evaluate the service were collected from team meetings, focus groups, individual interviews and questionnaires administered to clinicians, school staff, patients, carers and families.

Setting: Barwon Health; Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol Services provide public mental health care to the Geelong, Victoria, region (population 270 000), which is a mixed urban and rural setting.

Readmission to an acute psychiatric unit within 28 days of discharge: identifying those at risk.

Objective: To examine factors that could help identify those most at risk of readmission to an acute psychiatric in-patient unit within 28 days of a discharge.

Method: A detailed file audit was conducted comparing 54 consecutive patients who had been readmitted within 28 days of discharge with 61 patients, chosen at random, who had not been readmitted during the same period.

Results: Readmission within 28-days of discharge was associated with having been admitted in the previous year (P = 0.

Routine outcome measurement in public mental health: results of a clinician survey.

This paper explores the attitudes of mental health workers in one public mental health service towards the implementation and use of routine outcome measurement. Two years after their introduction into routine clinical practice, there were equal numbers of positive and negative observations from clinicians about the clinical value of the clinician-rated outcome measures, while more positive observations were made about value of the consumer-rated outcome measure. The most frequent observation from clinicians in relation to making outcome measures more useful to them in clinical practice was that more training, particularly refresher training, is needed.

An audit of clinical outcomes and client and referrer satisfaction with a Mood and Anxiety Disorders Unit.

Objective: To evaluate outcome and client and referrer satisfaction with the service provided by a Mood and Anxiety Disorders Unit (MADU).

Method: MADU was a specialized clinical service for the assessment and management of individuals suffering with affective and anxiety disorders. Clients were referred to MADU from a variety of health service providers.

The evolution of clinical audit as a tool for quality improvement.

Clinical auditing practices are recognized universally as a useful tool in evaluating and improving the quality of care provided by a health service. External auditing is a regular activity for mental health services in Australia but internal auditing activities are conducted at the discretion of each service. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of 6 years of internal auditing activities in a mental health service.