The optimal length of hospitalization for patients with schizophrenia may rest between 20 and 50 days, with regard to the recovery of daily living function, a new study found. Researchers examined the relationship between the activities of daily living and the length of stay (LOS) of hospitalization to determine the optimal length of hospitalization for Chinese patients with schizophrenia. They found:

• A total of 1,967 patients were enrolled.
• The average length of hospitalization was 73.3 ±42.2 days.
• There were significant differences between the modified Barthel Index (MBI-C) scores at the time of discharge from the hospital compared with those at the time of admission to the hospital.