Psychiatric admissions amongst the substance use disorder population to Malta’s mental health hospital : admissions related to substance use disorder in Malta

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The population of substance users is frequently stigmatised and under-represented. Their management often poses specific challenges secondary to complex presentations. This study aims to establish a comprehensive picture of substance user presentations to the acute mental health hospital in Malta, focusing on the number of and reasons for admission. Any correlation existing between the length of stay and the presenting complaint was also analysed.

METHODS: Data collection was carried out retrospectively over a 13-week period between 29th October 2021 and 31st January 2022 on all patients admitted to Malta’s Mental Health Hospital. 113 total patients met the outlined inclusion criteria. Of these, 18 had incomplete information, and were excluded from the study, giving an overall number of 95 records analysed.

RESULTS: 58.8% of all psychiatric admissions were prompted by social reasons, 34.3% were admitted with comorbid mental health illness, and 6.9% were admitted for stabilisation, prior to entering a rehabilitation programme. Results showed that the length of stay was not significantly correlated with the reason for admission with a Spearman r value of 0.137.

CONCLUSIONS: Admission to Malta’s mental health hospital is often utilised as a gateway to access social services. Instituting timely, easily accessible community services would allow individuals to receive community based care. Relevant training for staff, better education on service access as well as timely social service interventions could potentially decrease hospital admissions. We suggest the implementation of specifically catered community residences as well as communication with rehabilitation centres, to decrease waiting times prior to entry to rehabilitation programmes.