The association between readmission rates and length of stay for schizophrenia: a 3-year population-based study.

OBJECTIVE A nationwide population-based dataset was used to explore the association between length of stay (LOS) and 30-day readmission rates for hospitalized patients with schizophrenia in Taiwan. METHODS The National Health Insurance Research Database was used for the years 2001-2003 and included a total of 29,373 patients with schizophrenia divided equally into four groups according to LOS of index hospitalization. After adjusting for hospital, physician and patient characteristics, a multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between LOS and 30-day readmission rates. RESULTS After discharge from their index hospitalization, 12,468 (42.5%) patients with schizophrenia were readmitted within 30 days. The adjusted odds ratio for 30-day readmission rates was increased for shorter LOS. CONCLUSIONS Healthcare providers should exert caution while trying to reduce LOS within the current cost-conscious environment and balance it with creating a minimal status necessary for discharge.