The long-term effect of outpatient commitment on service use

The long-term effect of outpatient commitment on service use was evaluated in 81 patients with serious and persistent mental illness. An increased num ber of outpatient visits and a decreased number of hospital admissions, tot al hospital days, and lengths of stay were observed during commitment perio ds of greater than 1 year relative to levels of use in the same patients ov er the 12-month period preceding commitment. This study provides support th at outpatient commitment improves compliance with outpatient treatment and reduces hospital use in patients who are on outpatient commitment to a sing le treatment agency for periods up to 5 years.