The Impact of a Continuity-of-Care Model From Hospitalization to Outpatient Clinic for Patients With Severe Mental Illness

The authors sought to assess the impact of a continuity-of-care model on quality-of-care measures among hospitalized patients with severe mental illness in Israel. A “continuity-of-care physician” provided psychiatric care to patients during hospitalization and outpatient care after discharge. In the year after the model’s implementation, emergency department visits significantly decreased by 32% and rehospitalization rates of patients discharged within 30 and 90 days decreased by 40% and 29%, respectively. The yearly rate of compulsory admissions decreased from 35% to 25%, and the proportion of patients who entered rehabilitation significantly increased (from 9% to 13%). This model shows promise for improving quality of care of patients with severe mental illness admitted to acute psychiatric wards.