Repeated relapses and hospitalizations of patients with severe mental disorders reduce their quality of life and present a considerable burden on health care systems. Assertive community treatment(ACT) improves outcomes in patients with severe mental illness(SMI) with greatest risk for relapse and disability. In University Psychiatric Hospital Ljubljana assertive community treatment program started in the beginning of the 2006. In presented research first results of this program are assessed.

Two groups of patients with SMI were compared regarding hospitalization and functioning. The first group was discharged to standard outpatient treatment. The second group was included in ACT program described. Inclusion criteria were ICD 10 diagnoses F20-29 and at least two repeated hospitalizations in last year.

For each patient predicted hospitalization for one year was calculated and compared to the actual number of days spent in hospital in last year. In both groups functioning and quality of life were followed by repeated assessments with Health of the Nation Outcome Scale and Leicester Quality of Life questionnaires in 2007 for purposes of outcome measurements.

Actual hospitalization periods are significantly lower in ACT group than in control group. The difference between ACT group actual and predicted hospitalization periods is significantly higher than in control group. Functioning and quality of life in three month follow up is higher and more stable in ACT group.

ACT prevents hospitalization, shortens the hospitalization periods and maintains the level of functioning in patients with severe mental illness with reoccurring hospitalizations and disability.