Psychiatric services : a journal of the American Psychiatric Association
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The study examined predictors of discharge against medical advice (AMA) and outcomes of psychiatric patients with AMA discharges, as measured by poorer symptom ratings at discharge and higher rates of rehospitalization. ⋯ The results suggest a profile of patients who may be discharged AMA. Such patients have worse outcomes and are more likely to be high utilizers of inpatient resources. Aggressive identification of patients likely to be discharged AMA and early discharge planning for appropriate outpatient treatment are recommended.
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The clinical characteristics and treatment patterns of elderly Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized for psychiatric disorders were examined. ⋯ Case-mix-adjusted treatment patterns varied substantially across hospital types, due to differences in either illness severity or treatment styles.