Assessing the Impact of Community-Based Mobile Crisis Services on Preventing Hospitalization

Authors
Shenyang Guo, David E. Biegel, Jeffrey A. Johnsen, Hayne Dyches
Peer-Reviewed Article
February 2001
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Headline

A mobile crisis program reduced hospitalization rates among individuals experiencing behavioral health crises.

Background

Mobile crisis teams can play a role in supporting individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis in the community. This foundational study from 2001 compared the rates of and characteristics associated with hospitalization between individuals in crisis who received a community-based mobile crisis intervention with those who received a hospital-based intervention.

Findings

The authors analyzed the rate and timing of hospitalization between the two cohorts. Individuals receiving the hospital-based crisis intervention were 51% more likely to be hospitalized within 30 days post-crisis than someone who received the mobile crisis intervention. Twenty-six percent of the hospital-based comparison group and 18% of the community-based intervention group were hospitalized in the first two days following a crisis. Individuals who were most likely to be hospitalized following a crisis were referred by the legal system, experiencing homelessness, or had a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia or psychosis. Other characteristics associated with a higher risk of hospitalization included presence of delusions, hallucinations, anxiety, and substance use.

Policy/Program Takeaways

Mobile crisis interventions can reduce unnecessary hospitalizations. Behavioral health providers and policymakers should consider including mobile crisis teams in their spectrum of behavioral health service programming. 

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