Regional differences in psychiatric inpatient care days

28.02.2006

In 2003, a total of 31 653 patients received psychiatric inpatient care. In all, there were 1 863 343 care days. Both the number of patients and care days decreased 3 per cent on the previous year.

The average length of stay has increased significantly more in psychiatric hospitals than in other hospitals. In 1996, the average length of stay in psychiatric hospitals was 67 days, and in 2003 only 37 days. In particular, this is due to a decrease in the longer periods of care (3-10 years or over 10 years). In the past 10 years, older psychiatric patients and dementia patients have largely been moved from specialised psychiatric hospitals to elsewhere. New care practices also affect the length of stay and the number of care days. Furthermore, care practices traditionally vary from one part of Finland to another.

When psychiatric inpatient care days are examined by age and region, big differences are found. In 2001-2003, the 1-16 age group had more care days per a thousand persons of the same age in Southern and Eastern Finland than in Western and Northern Finland. Between 2002 and 2003, the number of care days dropped slightly in Southern and Northern Finland but increased in Eastern and Western Finland (Figure 1). In 2003, the number of care days per a thousand persons of the same age was 170 in Southern Finland, 180 in Eastern Finland, 138 in Western Finland and 130 in Northern Finland.

The 17-74 age group did not show regional differences of similar size. Between 2002 and 2003, the number of care days per a thousand persons of the same age rose slightly in Eastern Finland, but fell elsewhere (Figure 2). In 2003, the number of care days per a thousand persons of the same age was 416 in Southern Finland, 462 in Eastern Finland, 412 in Western Finland and 423 in Northern Finland.

The over-75 age group showed by far the largest regional differences in numbers of care days. Southern Finland had the greatest number of care days, followed by Western Finland. Between 2002 and 2003, the numbers of care days per a thousand persons of the same age fell in Northern Finland and rose elsewhere (Figure 3). The number of care days was 321 in Southern Finland, 129 in Eastern Finland, 293 in Western Finland and 146 in Northern Finland.

This bulletin was compiled by: Marja Niemi

Figure 1. Inpatient care days in psychiatry for those aged 0-16 per 1000 persons of same age

Figure 2. Inpatient care days in psychiatry for those aged 17-74 per 1000 persons of same age

Figure 3. Inpatient care days in psychiatry for those aged 75 and over per 1000 persons of same age