The use of demographic characteristics in predicting length of neuropsychiatric hospital stay.

Abstract

By means of a predictive index patients who fall in the long stay group could be transferred to such a program immediately upon completion of routine admission procedures. Short-term therapeutic and counseling procedures could be instituted for those patients in the short stay group. The index variables allow for certain speculations concerning psychological limitations. There is potential value for research in chronic mental illness for a predictive instrument. The index devised predicted with high accuracy. Such predictors would facilitate early, comprehensive studies of the potential chronic population.