Factors associated with readmission to mental health inpatient services and the emergency department within 30 days post discharge

Abstract

This study examined connection to a mental health outpatient program and readmission to the emergency department and an inpatient unit within 30 days post discharge. A retrospective analysis of administrative data in Ontario hospitals was undertaken using a multivariate logistic regression model examining the relationship between connection status and readmission. Five percent were readmitted to a mental health inpatient unit and 14% to the emergency department. Connection status was not a significant predictor of readmission. Substance related disorders (adjusted OR = 2.33; 95% CI = 1.33-4.07) and concurrent chronic illness (adjusted OR = 2.51, 95% CI = 1.06-5.99) were associated with return to the emergency department. Substance related disorders were also more likely to readmitted to an inpatient unit (adjusted OR = 3.36; 95% CI = 1.01-11.2). The findings emphasize the multifaceted issues associated with mental illness related readmissions, most of which could not be controlled for in this study.