Is Organizational Change Associated With Increased Rates of Readmission to General Hospital in Suicide Attempters? A 10-Year Prospective Catchment Area Study

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine predictors for readmissions in patients admitted to a general hospital emergency ward for suicide attempts before and after organizational changes potentially affecting the chain of care. Socio-demographic and clinical variables were collected by clinicians from 1997 thru 2007. Data from the periods before and after 2004—when the hospital changed its catchment area—were compared. A substantial increase in readmission rates in the period after the organizational change was observed. This increase was not associated with any of the socio-demographic or clinical patient characteristics. Although no causal connection can be inferred, the observed association between organizational change and readmission rates could indicate that established post-discharge care systems for suicide attempters may be vulnerable to such change.

Keywords:

• adults
• follow-up
• general hospital
• inpatients
• longitudinal
• suicide attempt

Notes

Note: *Psychiatric care includes care at district psychiatric centers, psychiatric hospital department and Unit for consultation psychiatry.

**Other includes general practitioner, family counseling, and social welfare agency.

Note: *Psychiatric care includes care at district psychiatric centers, psychiatric hospital department, and Unit for consultation psychiatry.

**Other includes general practitioner, family counseling, and social welfare agency.