Hospitalization Patterns for Psychiatric Disorders Across the Lifespan in Australia from July 1998 to June 2005

Objective: This study examined specialized psychiatric hospitalization in Australia.

Methods: Data from July 1998 to June 2005 from the National Hospital Morbidity Database, which includes all public and most private hospital stays in Australia, were analyzed.

Results: Over the study period, there were 1,343,584 psychiatric discharges (including transfers, deaths, and changes in care type). There was an 18.0% increase in discharges per 1,000 persons and a 20.3% reduction in average length of stay. The rate of discharges decreased with age, and length of stay increased with age. Psychiatric admission rates were higher and length of stay was lower for women than for men. Hospitalization rates fell with age for schizophrenia, manic disorders, and substance use disorders; increased with age for organic disorders; and peaked midlife for alcohol abuse and mood disorders. A late-life increase in hospitalization for depressive and personality disorders was observed for men.

Conclusions: Planning for specialized psychiatric hospital services needs to take into account the mix of clinical needs by age, gender, and diagnosis.