Evaluation of a flexible assertive community treatment (FACT) program for patients with severe mental illness: an observational study in Salzburg, Austria.

Background: Inpatient treatment of severe mentally ill patients binds substantial resources and creates the dilemma of "revolving-door hospitalizations". Evidence suggests that these patients benefit more from an assertive outreach community psychiatric treatment. This descriptive study evaluates the implementation of a new treatment program for severe mentally ill patients provided by a flexible assertive community treatment (FACT) team.