A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF DETERMINANTS OF LENGTH OF STAY IN A GEROPSYCHIATRIC STATE-HOSPITAL

This pilot study investigated the importance of social, clinical, and discharge factors in predicting extended length of stay (LOS) in a sta te geropsychiatric hospital. The authors reviewed medical records of a ll first time admissions during a 22 month period. A total of 272 pati ents age 60 and older were admitted for the first time during this per iod. Nine variables comprised of medical, demographic, social, and dis charge information were examined in a retrospective analysis to assess their relationship to LOS. The mean and standard deviation of days sp ent in hospital was 392.3 +/- 752.81. The median number of days of hos pitalization was 72.0. Single marital status, type of living arrangeme nt, polypharmacy, and limited functional status were predictive of LOS . Our findings underscore the challenge within geropsychiatry of treat ing patients with coexisting medical conditions who also have signific ant behavioral, mood, and/or cognitive disturbances.