Effect of centralized intake on outcomes of substance abuse treatment

James E Rohrer; Mary S Vaughan; Remi J Cadoret; Christopher Carswell; Anita Patterson; Janet Zwick

doi:10.1176/ps.47.11.1233

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Effect of centralized intake on outcomes of substance abuse treatment

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Effect of centralized intake on outcomes of substance abuse treatment

James E Rohrer, Mary S Vaughan, Remi J Cadoret, Christopher Carswell, Anita Patterson and Janet Zwick

Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.), Vol.47(11), pp.1233-1238

11/1996

DOI: 10.1176/ps.47.11.1233

PMID: 8916242

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Abstract

State governments are exploring the potential of various forms of case management to control the costs of substance abuse treatment programs. This report describes an experimental program in one Iowa county in which clients are assessed and referred elsewhere if treatment is needed. Outcomes of clients in that county are compared with those of clients served elsewhere in the state. All claims submitted by provider agencies to the Iowa Department of Public Health for substance abuse treatment of eligible clients in 1994 were analyzed to test the effect of the experimental intake-and-referral program on clients' utilization of outpatient treatment, rate of treatment completion, and rate of abstention at discharge from treatment. In the county with the experimental program, 27 percent of clients recommended for treatment actually attended, compared with 48 percent in other counties. Clients who used the experimental program were also less likely to complete treatment. These differences persisted after adjusting for baseline differences in client characteristics. Lower utilization arising from failure to attend recommended treatment may reduce treatment costs but is not the intended outcome of the intake-and-referral program. Failure to complete treatment also is an adverse outcome. Outcomes of various types of case management programs should be carefully evaluated before statewide implementation is considered.

United States

Substance Abuse, Intravenous - psychology

Ambulatory Care - utilization

Substance-Related Disorders - rehabilitation

Humans

Middle Aged

Patient Admission

Male

Substance Abuse, Intravenous - rehabilitation

Opioid-Related Disorders - rehabilitation

Substance Abuse, Intravenous - economics

Adult

Female

Substance-Related Disorders - economics

Alcoholism - psychology

Patient Dropouts - statistics & numerical data

Opioid-Related Disorders - psychology

Treatment Outcome

Case Management - organization & administration

Alcoholism - rehabilitation

Public Health Administration

Iowa

Opioid-Related Disorders - economics

Alcoholism - economics

Referral and Consultation - organization & administration

Cost Control

Substance-Related Disorders - psychology

Utilization Review

Aged

Ambulatory Care - economics

Details

Title: Subtitle: Effect of centralized intake on outcomes of substance abuse treatment
Creators: James E Rohrer - Graduate Program in Hospital and Health Administration, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA
Mary S Vaughan
Remi J Cadoret
Christopher Carswell
Anita Patterson
Janet Zwick
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.), Vol.47(11), pp.1233-1238
Publisher: United States
DOI: 10.1176/ps.47.11.1233
PMID: 8916242
ISSN: 1075-2730
eISSN: 1557-9700
Language: English
Date published: 11/1996
Academic Unit: Health Management and Policy; General Internal Medicine; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984064186402771

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14 Times Cited - Web of Science

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