The evaluation of a consultation service for delivery of substance abuse services in a hospital setting

Objective. This study evaluated the institutional impact of a substance abu se consultation service in a hospital setting. Method. Treatment and matched comparison groups were compared on five outco me variables: length of stay, total cost, reimbursement, readmission, and a ppropriateness of care. The treatment group consisted of patients with disc harge diagnoses falling into targeted Diagnostic Resource Groups (DRGs) and who received a substance abuse consultation. The comparison group consiste d of patients with the same targeted DRGs, a coexisting substance abuse dia gnosis, and who did not receive a substance abuse consultation. Results. No statistically significant differences were found for the five o utcome variables. Findings closely approached statistical significance for rate of readmission with treatment patients being less likely to be readmit ted during the 12 months following the consultation. Conclusions. Although cost savings were not found during the hospitalizatio n when the substance abuse consultation was provided, the data suggests tha t the consultation may reduce the need for readmission during the year foll owing discharge.