The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #40990

Cynthia Banks, MS, RNC, Cm¹, Tara M. Jenkins, MS, PharmD², Shreeram Kumar, MS¹, Janice Ranne, MA, CCC-SLP¹, Gayle Rubino, BS, RDA, CDA, Rd¹, Susan Tweed, RN, MS¹, M. Elizabeth Vogel, MHSA³, Yan Zhang, MS⁴, and Stacey B Plichta, ScD⁵. (1) Urban Services - Health, Old Dominion University, Spong Hall, Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, VA 23529, 757 668-4175, cbank003@odu.edu, (2) Department of Pharmacy, Hampton University, Settlers Landing, Hampton, VA 23666, (3) Urban Services – Management, Old Dominion University, Hughes Hall, Room 2091, North Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, VA 23529, (4) Urban Health Services, College of Health Science, Old Dominion University, 3565 Norland Court, Norfolk, VA 23513, (5) College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, 129 Spong Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine significant factors that predict length of stay (LOS) and average cost per day for inpatients on an acute psychiatric unit. Method: The research design was non-experimental ex post facto using secondary data. The sample consisted of 887 inpatients. Fifty-two percent of patients were males; 48% were females. Fifty-two percent of patients were under 41 years old; 48% were older. Eight-three percent were unmarried. Insurance categories included Medicaid HMO (27%), Medicare (24%), Medicaid (8%), Welfare (18%), Self-Pay (17%), and Private Insurance (6%). Diagnosis categories included depression (60%), schizophrenia (30%), cognitive disorders (5%) and substance abuse (5%). Results: Multiple regression analysis showed significant predictors of average cost per day were age, insurance type and diagnosis; significant predictors of LOS were age, marital status, diagnosis and insurance type. Patients under age 41 had $21 higher average cost per day than those 41 years or older. Self-Pay patients had $41higher average cost per day than Welfare patients. Cognitive disorder patients had the highest average cost per day ($47). Patients under age 41 had a 0.15 day shorter LOS than older patients. Single patients stayed 0.07 days less than married patients. Schizophrenic and cognitive disorder patients had longer average LOS than other patients. Self-pay patients had the shortest LOS. Conclusion: 1) Do community supportive services impact LOS? 2) What impact do individual physician admitting patterns have on diagnosis and LOS? 3) How can the database be structured to capture accurate cost information?

Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to

1)identify relationships between mental health diagnoses, length of stay and average costs;
• recognize the importance of community resources and physician practice patterns as significnat factors impacting length and average cost of stay;
• recognize the potential for increased costs related to mental health patient unique disposition needs at discharge.

Keywords: Mental Health Services,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.