Developing an Operational Definition for Delayed Discharges in Mental Health Hospitalizations at General Hospitals

Authors

  • Natalia Delmonte Lic. en Psicología. Becaria UBACyT. Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Psicología, Instituto de Investigaciones en Psicología. Buenos Aires, Argentina. https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1265-8704
  • Marina A. Fernández Doctora en Psicología. Becaria Postdoctoral de CONICET. Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Psicología, Instituto de Investigaciones en Psicología. CONICET. Buenos Aires, Argentina. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5767-4047
  • Nikol Mayo-Puchoc Bachiller en Psicología. Instituto Peruano de Orientación Psicológica, Lima, Perú. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6182-7605
  • Melina L. Rosales Mgter. en Salud Pública. Becaria Doctoral de CONICET. Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Psicología, Instituto de Investigaciones en Psicología. CONICET. Buenos Aires, Argentina. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5707-9467
  • Clara Bohner Lic. en Psicología. Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Psicología, Instituto de Investigaciones en Psicología. Buenos Aires, Argentina https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5451-9763
  • Sara Ardila-Gómez Doctora en Salud Mental Comunitaria. Investigadora Adjunta, CONICET. Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Psicología, Instituto de Investigaciones en Psicología. Buenos Aires, Argentina. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0022-7438

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53680/vertex.v36i169.897

Keywords:

length of stay, delayed discharge, general hospitals, mental health

Abstract

Introduction: Prolonged hospitalizations are a challenge for health systems. This paper discusses prolonged hospitalizations in general hospitals, considering the significance of hospitalization in these services within the framework of psychiatric reform processes. The first aspect of the discussion is to clarify the operational definition of prolonged hospitalizations. Methods: A document review was conducted, including scientific articles and technical documents. The analysis examined the terms used to refer to prolonged hospitalizations and sought to identify whether a specific time frame was specified in such definitions. Results: The results were organized into two categories of definitions: one focused on the temporal dimension and the other on the dimension of care organization. Conclusion: The paper proposes using the term "delayed discharge" and establishing a duration of 30 days to account for excess hospitalization days

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Author Biography

Natalia Delmonte, Lic. en Psicología. Becaria UBACyT. Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Psicología, Instituto de Investigaciones en Psicología. Buenos Aires, Argentina.



Published

2025-10-10

How to Cite

Delmonte, N. ., Fernández, M. A. ., Mayo-Puchoc, N. ., Rosales, M. L. ., Bohner, C. ., & Ardila-Gómez, S. . (2025). Developing an Operational Definition for Delayed Discharges in Mental Health Hospitalizations at General Hospitals . Vertex Revista Argentina De Psiquiatría, 36(169, jul.-sept.), 47–54. https://doi.org/10.53680/vertex.v36i169.897

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