Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Interventions: The Sooner, The Better

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Hospital Administration
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Psychiatric disorders are prevalent in general hospital settings.
• Previous research indicated a link between prompt consultation-liaison psychiatry (CLP) services and reduced length of stay (LOS).

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the association between timely CLP intervention and reduced LOS using recent data, including the pandemic period.
• To confirm the impact of early psychiatric consultation on hospital LOS.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 2070 patients referred to CLP between 2018-2022.
• Utilized general linear models to assess the relationship between CLP intervention timing and LOS.
• Identified predictors of CLP intervention timing, including patient demographics, ward type, and admission year.

Main Results:

• A significant positive association was found between the timing of CLP interventions and LOS.
• Earlier CLP intervention was consistently linked to a shorter LOS, even after adjusting for covariates.
• Admissions during 2020-2021 showed quicker CLP interventions, while surgical and ICU admissions experienced delays.

Conclusions:

• This study reaffirms that earlier CLP intervention is associated with shorter hospital LOS.
• Highlights the value of prompt psychiatric consultation in general hospitals, especially during health emergencies, to decrease LOS.