Risk of readmission in compulsorily and voluntarily admitted patients

Objectives: The aim of this study is to examine relationships between hospital admission legal status (voluntary, psychiatrist-ordered, and court ordered), length of stay and risk of hospital readmission. Methods: The records (1994–2005) of all consecutive admissions (n ¼ 16,016) to one inpatient mental health facility were reviewed. Patients (n ¼ 6,656) were classified into 3 groups at first admission: voluntary (n ¼ 5,442), psychiatrist-ordered (n ¼ 1,067) and court ordered (n ¼ 147). Results: The probability of readmission of the courtordered and psychiatrist-ordered groups were significantly lower than that of voluntarily admitted patients (P < 0.05). The length of stay at first admission was significantly longer for the court-ordered group than for the others (P < 0.001). As compared with the other groups, court ordered-patients were significantly younger (P < 0.001), had attained fewer years of education (P < 0.001) and included a lower percentage of immigrants (P < 0.05). Significant differences were found in the mean morality age of the three groups (P < 0.005). Conclusions: As compared with psychiatrist-ordered and voluntarily admitted patients, court ordered patients have a lower probability for hospital readmission, possibly related to longer length of stay