Impact of an integrated rapid response psychiatric liaison team on quality improvement and cost savings: the Birmingham RAID model

Aims and method To evaluate whether the implementation of the Rapid Assessment, Interface and Discharge (RAID) integrated model improves access to psychiatric assessment and reduces cost of health service provision in an acute hospital. Length of hospital stay was calculated using a case-by-case matched control design. Readmission rates were calculated and survival analysis was used to measure endurance in the community following discharge.

Results In an acute hospital with 600 beds, the total savings in bed days through reducing length of stay and readmissions was 43-64 beds per day. The elderly care wards provided the majority of bed savings.

Clinical implications The development of a rapid response, age-inclusive, comprehensive psychiatric team integrated in an acute hospital can lead to significant savings in health service provision.