RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Outcomes Associated With Court-Ordered Treatment Over Objection in an Acute Psychiatric Hospital
JF Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online
JO J Am Acad Psychiatry Law
FD American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
SP 236
OP 244
VO 41
IS 2
A1 Mark J. Russ
A1 Majnu John
YR 2013
UL http://jaapl.org/content/41/2/236.abstract
AB The postdischarge outcomes of court-ordered treatment of acute psychiatric inpatients have not been adequately investigated. We reviewed the medical records of all patients who refused medication for whom a court order was sought during a recent three-year period, and compared this group to control patients who agreed to treatment and a group of patients who transiently refused medication. The principal outcome measures were successful linkage after discharge, readmission within six months of discharge, and transfer to a state hospital. The study group was less likely to link to an aftercare provider, and more likely to be transferred to a state hospital, had poorer insight on admission, had a longer average stay, and was more likely to utilize mandatory outpatient treatment and long-acting injectable medications after discharge. Patients who require court-ordered medication over objection constitute a group that is high risk for nonadherence after discharge and being refractive to treatment.