Percentage of post-discharge community care within seven days following discharge from acute specialised mental health inpatient services 

Rationale

In 2017-18, one in five (4.8 million) Australians reported having a mental or behavioural condition. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure effective and appropriate care is provided not only in a hospital setting but also in the community.

Discharge from hospital is a critical transition point in the delivery of mental health care. People leaving hospital after an admission for an episode of mental illness have increased vulnerability and, without adequate follow up, may relapse or be readmitted.

The standard underlying this measure is that continuity of care requires prompt community follow-up in the period following discharge from hospital. A responsive community support system for persons who have experienced a psychiatric episode requiring hospitalisation is essential to maintain their clinical and functional stability and to minimise the need for hospital readmissions. Patients leaving hospital after a psychiatric admission with a formal discharge plan that includes links with public community based services and support are less likely to need avoidable hospital readmissions.

Target

The 2021 target percentage of post-discharge community care within seven days following discharge from acute specialised mental health inpatient services is ≥75.0%. Improved or maintained performance is demonstrated by a result equal to or above target.  

Results

Commentary

Over the past three years EMHS has consistently exceeded the 75% target. This result demonstrates our commitment to connecting with our public mental health acute inpatients within a week of being discharged from hospital to assist our consumers through a key transition of care.

Period: 2019 – 2021 calendar years 

Contributing sites: Armadale Health Service, Bentley Health Service, Royal Perth Hospital, St John of God Midland Public Hospital 

Data source: Mental Health Information Data Collection (MIND) (ambulatory mental health service contacts); HMDC (inpatient separations)