Variation of follow-up rate after psychiatric hospitalization of Medicare beneficiaries by hospital characteristics and social determinants of health

The period following discharge from an inpatient psychiatric unit is a critical time in a patient's recovery. During this time, patients are at high risk for suicide and readmission.1,2 Timely follow-up with an outpatient mental health provider after discharge has been shown to decrease the likelihood of readmission and emergency department utilization and increase the likelihood of medication adherence and extended participation in outpatient treatment.3

Source: The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry - August 25, 2018 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Ivy Benjenk, Jie Chen Source Type: research