Impact of Central Intake Development and System Change on Per Capita Child and Adolescent Mental Health Discharges from 2002 to 2017: Implications for Optimizing System Design by Shaping Demand

Abstract

Introduction: After several Canadian public hospital systems merged, a centralized intake system and associated regional access and intake system were developed and implemented for child and adolescent mental health services in 2002.

Objectives: To describe the catchment area's per capita service rates (overall and annual discharges) and changes in staff time per unit of intake activity, client wait times, and length of stay.

Methods: Patient data (2002-2017) and census data permitted calculation of annual and overall per capita mental health service episodes of care on the basis of discharge rates. Population-based discharge rates, wait times, length of stay, and staff workload were described, referring service investment and system changes.

Results: From 117,500 referrals (64% admitted and discharged; 53% female) to all regional services, 16,750 unique males and 17,140 unique females were admitted and discharged between April 1, 2002, and March 31, 2017. Per capita annual discharge rates increased over baseline 1.8-fold for both sexes, and investments increased 2.8-fold. Wait times and length of stay decreased in the 90th percentile over time for both scheduled (ambulatory) and urgent/emergent service levels. Staff workload increased.

Conclusion: Per capita system capacity increased but did not change in linear relation to investment, even though wait times and length of stay decreased. Steps focusing on future optimization of system capacity are discussed using a novel concept termed shaping demand, which refers to strategies for orienting/educating families after referral and before admission. Two new education programs focus on community-based primary care physicians and school-based services.