A number of risk factors may influence whether or not a psychiatric patient needs to be readmitted.
Factors on admission:
(1) history of previous readmissions
(2) involuntary commitment
Factors on discharge:
(1) severe or unstable disease present in days prior to discharge, premature discharge (symptoms not under control)
(2) poor discharge planning
(3) limited resources in the patient’s community (inner city, rural)
(4) poor communication with local providers
(5) prescribed 2 or more psychiatric medications
Factors related to the patient:
(1) multiple comorbid conditions (a readmission may be for other health issues)
(2) substance abuse
(3) poor compliance with medications or post-discharge management plan
(4) living alone or without social support
(5) unemployed
(6) impaired or disabled
Some studies have associated readmission with psychiatric diagnosis (schizophrenia, depression) while others have not, with readmission linked to other factors instead.
