Short-term follow-up after brief inpatient treatment

A total of 110 patients admitted to the inpatient unit of a community mental health center in Philadelphia were followed up between 90 and 120 days after discharge to determine their level of functioning after an average hospital stay of 21 days. All but five of the patients were referred for aftercare, and 80 received outpatient or day hospital care after their release. Sixteen patients were readmitted to inpatient care within 90 days after discharge. The author describes the patients' social and community adjustment at follow-up, based on information obtained from aftercare therapists.