An examination of risk factors for readmission to acute adult mental health services within 28 days of discharge in the Australian setting.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper was to identify risk factors associated with readmission within 28 days of discharge from eight Australian adult acute mental health inpatient services.
METHOD: A detailed file audit was conducted comparing 222 patients readmitted within 28 days of discharge with 253 patients not readmitted during the same period.
RESULTS: There was an association between early readmission and having had contact with the service in the previous 12 months (51% vs 21%), having been admitted in the previous 12 months (65% vs 36%), and having been diagnosed with an emotionally unstable personality disorder (14% vs 4%). Those who were not readmitted had a significantly higher score in the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales on index admission than those who were readmitted. Those who had community team contact on the day of discharge and those who received follow up by the mental health team within 7 days of discharge were more likely to be readmitted (55% vs 45% and 29% vs 19% respectively).
CONCLUSIONS: Significant determinants of early readmission identified were a history of recent previous admissions and a diagnosis of unstable personality disorder. The usefulness of this performance measure to Area Mental Health Services and clinicians is discussed.