Program to reduce early readmissions to psychiatric units

Implementation and Evaluation of a Transition to Discharge Program for the Reduction of Early Readmission in a Mental Health Inpatient Unit

This study tests a new program to see if extra support after leaving a psychiatric unit can help prevent high-risk patients from coming back too soon.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 836 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Fundación Pública Andaluza para la Investigación de Málaga en Biomedicina y Salud (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Málaga)
• Trial ID: NCT06604780 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This program aims to address the challenge of early readmissions to psychiatric units by implementing a multicomponent discharge transition intervention. It involves creating a risk assessment scale to categorize patients based on their likelihood of readmission and tailoring intervention strategies accordingly. High-risk patients will receive additional support through a post-discharge psychotherapeutic group to enhance their recovery. The efficacy of this approach will be evaluated by comparing readmission rates between the intervention and control groups.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults who have recently been admitted to the MHHU and are identified as high-risk for early readmission.

Not a fit: Patients who are not affiliated with the Regional Hospital of Málaga or those who do not meet the high-risk criteria may not benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly reduce early readmissions and improve recovery outcomes for patients with mental health disorders.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in reducing readmissions through tailored discharge interventions, suggesting this approach may be effective.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* All hospital admission episodes at MHHU during the 12 months following the implementation of the Discharge Transition Intervention Program will be considered.
* The experimental group, to which the Discharge Transition Intervention Program will be applied, will consist of users whose Community Mental Health Units (CMHU) are affiliated with the Regional Hospital of Málaga.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Users belonging to other hospitals in the province will be excluded from the intervention program and will form part of the control group.

Post-Discharge Group Psychotherapy Support Recovery has its own eligibility criteria:

Inclusion criteria:

* Be of legal age.
* Speak spanish fluently.
* Have had recent admission to the MHHU of the Regional Hospital of Málaga and a score considered as "High Risk" on the Early Rehospitalization Risk Scale or have experienced an early rehospitalization.
* Belong to the Clinical Management Unit of Mental Health of the RUH of Málaga.
* Have sufficient cognitive capacity to understand the rules and contents of the group intervention.

Exclusion criteria:

* Individuals whose primary diagnosis is a Mental and Behavioral Disorder due to psychoactive substance use.
* Moderate or severe intellectual disability.
* Clinical Management Unit belonging to a hospital other than the RUH of Málaga.
* Lack of commitment to attending sessions or complying with group rules.

Where this trial is running

Málaga

• Vera Carbonell Aranda — Málaga, Spain (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Vera Carbonell Aranda, Bachelor — Fundación Pública Andaluza para la Investigación de Málaga en Biomedicina y Salud
• Study coordinator: Vera Carbonell Aranda, Bachelor

Conditions: Readmission, Mental Health Disorder, Hospitalizations Psychiatric, early readmission, discharge interventions, psychyatric unit, continuity of care, psychotherapy group