A comparison of special hospital patients and other admissions to a regional low security unit

Abstract

This study aimed to assess if there were any identifiable characteristics that could predict a length of inpatient stay of greater than 2 years. This was in respect to patients admitted to the low security Tayside Regional Forensic service, over the course of 10 years, from high security and other sources. A comparison of risk characteristics was also conducted between the two groups. The authors conducted a retrospective cohort study. The control group were formed from the next consecutive admissions to the unit following an admission from a high secure setting. A full case note review and HCR-20's were carried out on all subjects. Regression analysis was utilized to distinguish if a single factor was significant in predicting a length of inpatient stay of more than 2 years. Patients transferred from special hospitals were more likely to have a diagnosis of Schizophrenia, have more serious index offence and more previous convictions. Patients from the high security group had a higher mean HCR-20 score and a significantly earlier age of onset of illness. We were unable to identify a single factor that would predict a length of inpatient stay of more than 2 years. We did identify that patients discharged from high security settings may require a longer inpatient stay and outpatient contact than patients admitted from other sources. We hope to add to the discussion concerning the requirement for long term low and medium secure care.