The effectiveness of psychiatric discharge coordinators

At the time of patient discharge from psychiatric care communication betwee n primary and secondary care needs to be as effective and efficient as poss ible. We looked at the impact of discharge coordinators on length of stay, readmission rates, mental health status and patient/carer satisfaction. The re were no differences in length of stay, readmission rates within 6 months or mental health status at 1 month. Global satisfaction in patients was no different between those with discharge coordinators and those without. How ever, those without involvement felt they were able to deal more effectivel y with their problems and felt that their general practitioner spent more t ime with them at discharge. Carers with no discharge coordinator input were more satisfied with the arrangements made with their relative at the time of discharge. It may he that a resultant shift in the balance of care when the discharge coordinator was involved contributes towards these results. F urther work needs to be done on the area of patient/carer satisfaction and how the needs of the service can complement the needs of the patient and ca rer. Primary Care Psychiatry 2000; 6:149-153, Copyright (C) 2000 by LibraPh arm Limited.