Inpatient stays of Asian patients with psychiatric diagnoses in New York City.

This study examines whether race, specifically Asian, contributes to longer inpatient stays for patients with psychiatric diagnoses in a large American city. Secondary data analyses were conducted using Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System data sets for 983,584 inpatient discharges with psychiatric diagnoses in New York City between 1995 and 1999. Asians were admitted more often through the emergency room and showed a higher incidence of emergency admission than non-Asians. Greater percentages of Asians were diagnosed with schizophrenic disorders and affective psychoses compared to non-Asians. Furthermore, Asians were about 70% less likely to utilize inpatient services but stayed considerably longer than non-Asians when hospitalized. Study findings will assist in development of policy to improve service utilization for this vulnerable population.