Trends in admissions to an intellectual disability hospital
2009
AIMS AND METHOD Long-term admission trends in a large specialist National Health Service
(NHS) hospital were examined over a 3-year period. These were compared with
three earlier 3-year periods. The medical records were examined for admission
numbers, source of admissions, length of stay, legal status, reason for
admission and readmission rate. RESULTS The percentage of patients admitted from home decreased over time, whereas
the admissions from group homes increased threefold. Long-stay admissions
decreased in the second and third periods followed by an increase in the
fourth period. There was a progressive increase in formal admissions and a
decrease in informal ones. There was an increase in admissions of people with
psychiatric illness and a decrease in admissions because of social
difficulties. The percentage of first admissions gradually increased and the
percentages of readmissions gradually decreased. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS People with intellectual disability are more likely to be admitted for
psychiatric reasons and to be detained under the Mental Health Act than in the
1970s. There should be a much greater interaction between hospital and
community services to facilitate shorter stays and early discharge.
Out-of-area placements need to be taken account of while commissioning for the
total need in a geographical area.
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