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%).

Forming and sustaining partnerships to provide integrated services for young people: an overview based on the headspace Geelong experience.

Aim: To discuss critical considerations in the formation and maintenance of agency partnerships designed to provide integrated care for young people.

Methods: Two years after its establishment, an evaluation of the headspace Barwon collaboration and a review of the health-care and management literature on agency collaboration were conducted. The principal findings together with the authors' experience working at establishing and maintaining the partnership are used to discuss critical issues in forming and maintaining inter-agency partnerships.

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.