Typologies of psychiatric admissions and length of inpatient stay in Italy.

Objective: To describe admissions to an inpatient psychiatric unit in Italy over a two-year period and explore the influence of demographics, clinical variables and organisational and context-related factors on length of stay.

Methods: Data were obtained from clinical records and recorded by a psychiatrist through a proper checklist.

Results: Shorter admissions involved patients with personality disorders and substance use disorders. Greater illness severity and difficulties in setting a post-discharge programme were associated with longer admissions.

Conclusions: Clinical, organisational and context-related factors all had significant effects on length of stay.