A liaison psychiatrist participated in the postoperative care of a group
of elderly patients who underwent surgery for fractured femurs. Clinical
outcomes for this group were compared with a control group of patients who
were not treated by a liaison psychiatrist. Length of stay for the
treatment group was 12 days shorter than for the control group, and twice
as many patients in the treatment group returned home rather than being
discharged to a nursing home or other health-related institution;
therefore, a substantial reduction in the cost of their medical care was
effected. The authors suggest that psychiatric liaison services should be
viewed as a potential cost containment mechanism for general medical
care.
Abstract Teaser