Does Early Intervention for Psychosis reduce hospital admissions and bed usage in Ireland?
Poster C74, Wednesday, October 10, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Essex Ballroom
Nuala Murray1, Karen O'Connor1,2; 1University College Cork, 2Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Research has shown that patients with first episode of psychosis (FEP) respond better to specialized treatment within 6 months of onset. A pilot early intervention service (EIS) was set up within the South Lee Mental Health Service (SLMHS) in Cork in 2016. The aim of the study is to evaluate if EIS was associated with: 1) Lower rates of hospital admissions at first presentation to the service 2) A lesser number of hospital admissions within 6 months of presentation, and 3) A reduced number of bed days overall. Files of those who presented with FEP to the SLMHS from January 2016 to February 2017 were identified and a retrospective case review carried out. A between participants design was employed to compare demographics, clinical characteristics and hospital admissions for those admitted to EIS and community mental health teams (CMHTs). Forty patients were assessed. There was no significant difference in demographics. Hospital admissions varied significantly between the groups: There were fewer admissions at first presentation (χ2 (1)=6.51 p=0.01) and within the first 6 months of presentation (χ2 (1)=5.56 p=0.02) for those who presented to the EIS. There was also a significant difference in total number of hospital bed days (U=131, p=0.047), with the EIS group having fewer. The results show that EIS is associated with fewer hospital admissions and fewer bed days overall. EIS is associated with better patient outcomes in the first 6 months of treatment and a reduction in economic cost.
Topic Area: Service System Development and Reform