THE HEALTH OF THE NATION OUTCOME SCALES IN PSYCHIATRIC-HOSPITALIZATION - A MULTICENTER STUDY EXAMINING OUTCOME AND PREDICTION OF LENGTH OF STAY

Objective: The Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) is a reliab le instrument, useful in detecting change in symptoms and functioning during psychiatric hospitalisation. The present study examines its uti lity in predicting length of stay of patients in six private psychiatr ic hospitals in four Australian States. Method: The HoNOS was administ ered on admission and discharge in six private psychiatric hospitals i n Australia. Results: There were significant differences in total scor e and in all sub-scales between admission and discharge. There were no significant associations between total HoNOS scores and length of sta y, either for individual hospitals or for specific diagnosis-related g roups. There were only very weak associations, of doubtful practical c linical significance, between length of stay of all patients and indiv idual HoNOS sub-scales. Conclusion: While the HoNOS is of some value i n providing a readily administered and understood measure for clinicia ns, on the basis of these findings it is unlikely to be of utility in predicting length of stay or in offering a 'gate-keeping' service in d ecision-making in regard to the allocation of resources for individual patients.