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Abstract

BackgroundThe problem of long-stay hospitalization is still a pressing issue. In this study we examined the possibility of detecting and characterising the group at risk of long-stay hospitalization in advance.MethodsThis study examines the data of patients in the urban catchment area of the Medical University of Hannover, capital of Lower Saxony, Germany, during a period of 10 years.Results and conclusionThe introduced "psychosocial risk-score", calculated at the first institutional contact, was able to predict the risk of long-term hospitalization. Characteristics of social disintegration, especially with regard to employment status, are of particular importance.

Hannover study on long-stay hospitalization - part II: Characteristics and care conditions of long-stay hospitalization in cases of chronic mental illness

“…Further characteristics are found in table 1 (see also [38]). As to the involved institutions (policlinic, hospital, complementary institution) in 1991 the proportion of patients with a residence in the evaluated area at the time of their first therapeutical contact was 87% for the policlinic, 31% for the psychiatric hospital and 11% for the facilities of the complementary society.…”

“…68 of them (22%) met the criteria for LSH. This group can be characterized as predominantly male, suffering mainly from non-organic psychoses and, at its first therapeutical contact, already combined with an elevated PSR [38]. A further distinction within this group is the difference in sex-ratio.…”

“…This study examines the group of chronically mentally ill persons with general psychiatric diagnoses who are long-stay patients in hospitals, residential homes or nursing facilities and their conditions of treatment. We suggest a definition for long-stay hospitalization, and evaluate factors which indicate a complicated course or a disadvantageous outcome [38,39]. The evaluated care conditions and characteristics may serve as a basis for prevention of long-stay hospitalization.…”