The evaluation of a consultation service for delivery of substance abuse services in a hospital setting.

OBJECTIVE This study evaluated the institutional impact of a substance abuse consultation service in a hospital setting. METHOD Treatment and matched comparison groups were compared on five outcome variables: length of stay, total cost, reimbursement, readmission, and appropriateness of care. The treatment group consisted of patients with discharge diagnoses falling into targeted Diagnostic Resource Groups (DRGs) and who received a substance abuse consultation. The comparison group consisted of patients with the same targeted DRGs, a coexisting substance abuse diagnosis, and who did not receive a substance abuse consultation. RESULTS No statistically significant differences were found for the five outcome variables. Findings closely approached statistical significance for rate of readmission with treatment patients being less likely to be readmitted during the 12 months following the consultation. CONCLUSIONS Although cost savings were not found during the hospitalization when the substance abuse consultation was provided, the data suggests that the consultation may reduce the need for readmission during the year following discharge.