Designing Community Services for People With Borderline Personality Disorder to Reduce Hospitalizations

Abstract

Previous evaluations of interventions for borderline personality disorder have focused on psychotherapies. This study (N=42 patients), conducted in Liverpool, United Kingdom, reviewed the effect on out-of-area treatments (OATs) and hospital admissions of establishing a local case management team and a combined day and crisis service for patients who are too dysregulated to access typical office-based psychotherapy. Data from 12, 24 and 36 months postintervention were compared with baseline data. All patients in OATs were repatriated. No new patients were sent to OATs. Hospital admissions decreased statistically significantly (at 24 months, 64%; at 36 months, 74%), achieving savings. Moderate increases in the use and costs of some other services were observed.