Predictors of the length of stay in a psychiatric emergency care centre.

Australas Psychiatry

Senior Lecturer, Discipline of Psychiatry, Sydney Medical School - Nepean, University of Sydney, Penrith, NSW, Australia.

Published: December 2013

AI Article Synopsis

  • The study identifies key factors influencing how long patients stay in a Psychiatric Emergency Care Centre (PECC), focusing on a sample of 477 patients.
  • Findings show that medical complications, absconding behavior, depression diagnosis, and being escorted by family are linked to longer stays, while aggression and prior mental health service contact often lead to shorter stays.
  • The research suggests that understanding these predictors can help optimize patient evaluations before admission, potentially reducing unnecessary length of stay and improving psychiatric service efficiency.

Article Abstract

Objective: This paper aims to ascertain predictors of the length of stay in a Psychiatric Emergency Care Centre (PECC).

Methods: Demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded retrospectively via file audit in 477 patients who were admitted to a PECC within a six-month period. Associations between these variables and length of stay were analysed using logistic regression.

Results: Length of stay in the PECC was predicted by medical complications arising in the PECC, absconding behaviour, diagnosis of depression and being brought in by family members. Aggression within the PECC and previous contact with mental health services predicted a shorter stay.

Conclusions: Length of stay in the PECC is predicted by a number of variables that are different from those that predict length of stay in an acute psychiatric unit. A comprehensive assessment of these variables prior to admission may decrease the length of stay in the PECC and improve efficiency of acute psychiatric services.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1039856213501010DOI Listing

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