Abstract
Is Organizational Change Associated With Increased Rates of Readmission to General Hospital in Suicide Attempters? A 10-Year Prospective Catchment Area Study
Mehlum L~~Jorgensen T~~et al
This study examined predictors for readmission in patients admitted to a general hospital emergency ward for suicide attempts before & after organizational changes potentially affecting the chain of care. Data from periods before & 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 sociodemographic or clinical patient characteristics. Although no causal connection can be inferred, the observed association could indicate that established post-discharge care systems for suicide attempters may be vulnerable to such change. (26 refs.) JA