SYMPTOM SEVERITY AND NUMBER OF PREVIOUS PSYCHIATRIC ADMISSIONS AS PREDICTORS OF READMISSION

Objective: The study examined factors predicting early readmission (wi thin 30 days of discharge) to a state hospital. Methods: A total of 18 9 patients with acute symptoms who were admitted to a state hospital w ere evaluated at discharge using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (B PRS) and the Nurses Observation Scale for Inpatient Evaluation (NOSIE) . Patients who were readmitted within 30 days were compared with those who were not on BPRS and NOSIE ratings and on other variables, includ ing length of stay, number of previous admissions, demographic charact eristics, and diagnosis. Results: Scores on the thought disorder facto r and self-neglect question on the BPRS and the number of previous adm issions were significantly higher among patients who were readmitted w ithin 30 days of discharge. The variables correctly predicted readmiss ion for 86 percent of cases in the study. Conclusions: The characteris tics of high scores at discharge on the BPRS thought disorder factor a nd the BPRS item on self-neglect, along with a high number of previous admissions, may be helpful in identifying patients at risk for readmi ssion to inpatient psychiatric settings.