prediction of irregular discharges from the acute care units of lakehead psychiatric hospital / by janice van kampen.
abstract
a prospective research study attempted to identify persons
who would subsequently receive an irregular discharge. the
sample consisted of 150 patients who were consecutively
admitted to the acute care units of lakehead psychiatric
hospital. they were examined and rated on variables
previously found to be predictive of irregular discharges.
the results showed that: (a) the prediction of irregular
discharge was met with limited success; and (b) young males
were most likely to receive irregular discharges. a
retrospective examination of factors motivating patients to
discharge against medical advice were investigated through
individual interviews. a predominance of negative
complaints concerning hospitalization were offered by the
patients. during the three month follow-up period,
irregular discharged patients were readmitted to hospital
more often than their regular co-patients. the treatment
team may be better able to meet the needs of at-risk
patients by negotiating treatment contracts and by
developing special goals that facilitate short durations of
hospitalization. discharge considerations compatible with
the recent focus on 'consumer satisfaction' are offered.
collections
- retrospective theses [1604]