22 INVESTIGATION OF AMBULATORY COMPLIANCE RATES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE FOLLOWING HOSPITALIZATION FOE SUICIDE ATTEMPT

Abstract

In the forty-two month period ending July 1983, 80 youths aged 10–21 were hospitalized because of an attempted suicide. The purpose of this study is to determine the rate of follow-up for those patients who stayed in the hospital less than 48 hours. To acheive this end, we mailed questionnaires and obtained phone interviews from the admitting physicians. We received adequate data on 65 adolescents (8l%). Forty-nine of these patients were released within 48 hours of admission and are included in the data analysis (n=49).

At discharge, 36 (73%) of the patients had a clearly planned therapy program which was outlined in the chart and discussed with the family and patient prior to discharge. Of these patients, 12 (33%) obtained follow-up care. In 13 patients, no follow-up planning was documented in the chart. Of these, none received therapy. In contrast, for the 16 patients with extended (>48 hrs.) in-patient stays; 38%(6 pts.) had outlined post-discharge plans and received care; 31%(5 pts.) had outlined post-discharge plans but didn't receive care; 25% (4 pts.) did not have outlined plans and did not receive care; and 1 patient (6%) did not have outlined discharge plans but received care.

In summary, effective discharge planning was of major import in determining patient compliance. The discussion will focus on the importance of the admitting physician making a precise and acceptable post-discharge plan and communicating this clearly.

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