A retrospective case comparison study of the relationship between an Integrated Care Pathway for people diagnosed with schizophrenia in acute mental health care and service users' length of stay, readmission rates and follow-up within 7days of discharge

Background Integrated Care Pathways (ICPs) are used to deliver mental health services, yet evidence relating to outcomes is mixed. Aim To compare service users' length of stay, readmission rates and follow-up within 7days of discharge in a mental health Trust using an ICP to direct the care of people diagnosed with schizophrenia with a Trust using a nonICP method of care planning in England.Method: A cohort study with a random sample of 400 service users with outcomes analysed retrospectively. Results The ICP Trust had a 13.5day shorter average length of stay, this difference was statistically significant. No statistically significant differences were observed in rates of readmission or follow-up within 7days of discharge. Discussion and implications Mental health nurses are central to the delivery of the psychosocial aspects of ICPs in particular and judging by the link between psychosocial interventions and quality of mental health care, it is possible that nurse-led psychosocial interventions contributed to the reduced length of stay.