Summary
This quality standard addresses care for adults aged 18 years and older with a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia (including related disorders such as schizoaffective disorder). It also provides guidance on early psychosis intervention for people who experience a first episode of schizophrenia. The quality standard focuses on care provided in the community, including primary care, hospital outpatient care, rehabilitation, and community supports and services.
The quality standard also applies to care in correctional facilities. People with schizophrenia and other mental health conditions are disproportionately represented in the correctional system. For some people with schizophrenia, their first point of contact for mental health care occurs after they have become involved with the correctional system. For these individuals, it is particularly important that screening processes at intake be sufficiently well developed so that they can be diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Although this quality standard addresses care for people who have already been diagnosed with schizophrenia, the importance of having responsive services that ensure all Ontarians with schizophrenia can receive a diagnosis cannot be understated.
For a quality standard that addresses care for adults with schizophrenia who are seen in an emergency department or admitted to a hospital inpatient setting, please refer to Schizophrenia: Care for Adults in Hospitals.
This quality standard was completed in October 2018 and updated in March 2023.
If you have any questions, please send an e-mail to QualityStandards@OntarioHealth.ca.