This work may not be copied, distributed, displayed, published, reproduced, transmitted, modified, posted, sold, licensed, or used for commercial purposes. By downloading this file, you are agreeing to the publisher’s Terms & Conditions.

Original Research

The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale as an Acute Inpatient Outcome Measurement Tool: A Pilot Study

Roy V. Varner, Y. Richard Chen, Alan C. Swann, and Frederick G. Moeller

Published: November 30, 2000

Article Abstract

Background: Recent guidelines for length of stayat psychiatric hospitals may have an unacceptable impact onpatient outcome at discharge. A valid measurement tool is neededto evaluate significant patient change during briefhospitalization, typically 7 days, and to provide earlyprediction of unfavorable short-term outcome. This study examinesthe utility of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) as sucha tool.

Method: During a 2-month testing period, theBPRS was administered to 87 successive adults admitted to anacute general psychiatric inpatient unit at admission, 2 days, 7days, and weekly thereafter until discharge. Total BPRS scoresand 4 subscores were used in the data analysis, which includedpaired t tests and correlation analyses.

Results: Mean BPRS total scores demonstratesignificant (p < .001) patient improvement at days 2, 7, and14 of the hospital stay. Changes in subscores and theirrelationship to eventual outcome vary across diagnostic groups.

Conclusion: The BPRS appears to be a usefulinpatient outcome measure since it is capable of demonstratingsignificant change during brief stays of 1 week or less. Subscalescores may provide more specific prediction of change and mayhelp clarify outcome in individual patients who showinsignificant change by total score.

Volume: 61

Quick Links: Assessment Methods , Diagnostic Tools

Continue Reading…

Subscribe to read the entire article

$40.00

Buy this Article as a PDF