The effectiveness of psychiatric discharge coordinators

At the time of patient discharge from psychiatric care communication between primary and secondary care needs to be as effective and efficient as possible. We looked at the impact of discharge coordinators on length of stay, readmission rates, mental health status and patient/carer satisfaction. There were no differences in length of stay, readmission rates within 6 months or mental health status at 1 month. Global satisfaction in patients was no different between those with discharge coordinators and those without. However, those without involvement felt they were able to deal more effectively with their problems and felt that their general practitioner spent more time with them at discharge. Carers with no discharge coordinator input were more satisfied with the arrangements made with their relative at the time of discharge. It may he that a resultant shift in the balance of care when the discharge coordinator was involved contributes towards these results. Further work needs to be done on the area of patient/carer satisfaction and how the needs of the service can complement the needs of the patient and carer. Primary Care Psychiatry 2000; 6:149-153, Copyright (C) 2000 by LibraPharm Limited.