A study to determine patient-related factors that influence length of hospital stay among patients with Schizophrenia admitted at Ward 7 in 2001-2004

ABSTRACT

Objectives@#This study aimed to examine schizophrenic patient related factors- demographic, psychopathology, social function & premorbid social functioning - that would predict length of hospital stay and determine their relationship. @*Methodology@#One hundred eighty four charts of schizophrenic patients admitted to Ward 7 of UP PGH from 2001- 2004 were reviewed. Data collected were the patient's demographic characteristics, psychopathology, premorbid social functioning and economic support system. Univariate and multivariate analyses were made to identify factors associated with length of hospital stay. @*Results@#Of the 184 charts reviewed, 42 (23%) had a short hospital stay of 1- 14 hospital days while 142 ( 77%) were considered as having a long hospital stay i.e. more than 14 hospital days. Univariate analysis with p< 0.05 revealed that the number of IM medications and number of psychopharmacologic medications had a significant relationship with length of hospital stay. At a p value < 0.20, two additional predictors were identified absence of heterosexual relationship and age of onset of illness. Multivariate analysis of these four factors revealed that age of onset of illness and number of psychopharmacologic interventions were patient related factors that predicted length of hospital stay.@*Conclusion@#Knowledge concerning patient related factors such as number of medications and age of onset were significant in predicting length of hospitalization for schizophrenic patients, which would be of help in formulating admissions and in patient policies for the hospital.