After discharge from hospital, where do we go? Follow-up of clients with mental illness and/or addiction: 30 days post-acute care.

This retrospective descriptive research explores post-acute hospital follow-up for individuals with mental illness and/or addiction diagnosed in the Thompson Cariboo Shuswap Health Service Area in 2004/2005. The study examines follow-up rates determined by Performance Measure 5.1 and their differences as a function of other factors including diagnostic categories, Local Health Area hospitals, types of follow-up and number of separations. Data gathered from information systems in acute care hospitals, community mental health and addictions centres, and physicians' service billings of Medical Services Plan demonstrated an average of 75.9% follow-up. Variations occur between types of community follow-up and diagnostic categories. Findings indicate individuals diagnosed with substance use disorders have less follow-up whereas individuals with psychosis, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, depression, and disorders with early onset have more follow-up. These implications direct suggestions for post-acute discharge follow-up procedures and areas for further research.--P.ii.