Impact of a mental health care pathway upon length of stay: Case comparison study

18^th International Conference on Nursing & Healthcare

December 05-07, 2016 Dallas, USA

Julie Hall

Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, UK

Keynote: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

Background: Integrated Care Pathways (ICPs) are increasingly used to deliver mental health services, yet the evidence base relating to their efficacy is underdeveloped. Existing evidence relating to key outcomes shows mixed results. Aims: To compare key outcomes (length of stay, readmission rates and follow up within 7 days of discharge) using an ICP with traditional methods of managing the care process. Method: Two comparable Trusts were chosen, with and without an ICP. A random sample of 200 patients was selected from each, and outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. Samples were analyzed for mediating variables (e.g. method of admission, diagnostic group). Results: The ICP Trust had a 13.5 day shorter average length of stay. There was no significant difference in rates of readmission or follow up within 7 days of discharge. Differences were found in sample composition, one of which (diagnostic group) was found to have a significant relationship with length of stay. Conclusions: Whilst there was a difference in length of stay between ICP and non-ICP, this may be attributable to factors other than the ICP. Length of stay has a significant relationship to diagnosis, and standardized ICPs may not be appropriate across a range of diagnoses.

Biography :

Julie Hall is the Executive Director of Forensic Services working at the leading edge of forensic healthcare delivery in the UK. She has executive responsibility for high secure provision at Rampton Hospital; medium secure units at Arnold Lodge in Leicester and Wathwood Hospital in Rotherham, the Low Secure and Community Forensic Directorate and Offender Health in the East Midlands and Yorkshire. She began her career as a Registered Mental Nurse, and has worked as a Clinician, Senior Manager and Director within mental health services in the East Midlands. She worked as a Full Time Lecturer in Nursing at the University of Nottingham, before returning to the NHS. She was Director of Nursing and Operations at Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. She holds the title of Queen’s Nurse, was a Senior Fellow of the Institute of Mental Health and Visiting Fellow at the University of Lincoln, and was appointed to the East Midlands’ Clinical Senate. She is professionally known particularly for her research into the use of care pathways in mental health, service redesign, quality improvement and governance.

Email: Julie.hall@nottshc.nhs.uk