[A preliminary study of the factors which lead to patient readmission in psychiatric hospitals]

The readmission of patients to psychiatric hospitals is preoccupying. This occurrence led us to this study which has as objective the identification of the determinant factors of the readmission; the nurse's opinion of what can be done to attenuate and the source of knowledge on the topic. The date collection was carried out with twenty three nurses of three countries: Peru (7), Brazil (9) and Colombia (7). The following factors were evidenced: social-economical, lack of orientation of family members and patient and institutional policy. Activities mentioned were actions directed toward working with families and patients, team work and community work. The sources of information most frequently mentioned were daily practice, reading and events. Some differences were evidenced among the three countries.