A. Weinberg et al., SEVERITY OF PSYCHIATRIC-DISORDER IN DAY HOSPITAL AND INPATIENT ADMISSIONS, Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica, 98(3), 1998, pp. 250-253
This study assessed whether severity of psychiatric disorder varies ac
ross day hospital and in-patient units according to local need, and wh
ether severity of disorder predicts length of stay and therefore costs
. Data were collected for a consecutive series of 2230 in-patients and
712 day patients using the Social Behaviour Scale (data completed by
nurses) and diagnosis and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) (completed
by doctors). Severity of illness of subjects admitted to in-patient un
its, but not to day hospitals, was associated with under-privileged ar
ea score (UPA). Length of in-patient stay is most accurately predicted
by Clinical Global Impression and six other variables relating to dia
gnosis, demographic status and individual hospital. Improved resource
allocation for mental health services could be achieved if severity of
disorder was routinely collected.