שם הנושא
Mental Health
Mental health follow-up in the community within 14 days after discharge from psychiatric hospitalization (ages 18 years or older)

Individuals who had an encounter with a mental healthcare professional in the community within 14 days of discharge (numerator), among individuals 18 years or older discharged from a psychiatric hospitalization of 14 to 365 days (denominator)
Rational:
Medical follow-up after an acute event such as hospitalization is an accepted practice, and has been shown to reduce the risk of negative health outcomes. Improving the continuity of care between inpatient and outpatient healthcare settings reduces post-acute phase complications. This period also represents a window of opportunity for strengthening the patient’s cooperation and adherence to treatment [1]. In addition to physical ailments, the rates of suicide attempts and psychiatric readmissions were also significantly reduced in people with mental illnesses who received active follow-up and outreach, including a face-to-face encounter with a mental health professional in the community after discharge from psychiatric hospitalization [2] [3].
Numerator:
Individuals in the denominator who had an encounter with a mental healthcare professional in the community within 14 days of discharge
Denominator
Individuals 18 years or older discharged from a psychiatric hospitalization of 14 to 365 days
Notes:
References:
[1] L. Dixon et al., “Use of a critical time intervention to promote continuity of care after psychiatric inpatient hospitalization.,” Psychiatr. Serv., vol. 60, no. 4, pp. 451–458, Apr. 2009.
[2] D. D. Luxton, J. D. June, and K. A. Comtois, “Can postdischarge follow-up contacts prevent suicide and suicidal behavior? A review of the evidence.,” Crisis, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 32–41, Jan. 2013.
[3] M. Barekatain, M. R. Maracy, F. Rajabi, and H. Baratian, “Aftercare services for patients with severe mental disorder: A randomized controlled trial.,” J. Res. Med. Sci., vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 240–245, Mar. 2014.
Results:
Mental health follow up by year

Mental health follow-up by socio-economic position (1-lowest, 4-highest) and sex
