Data was obtained from the written review plan, key administrative staff, and fiscal accounts of the Department's Community Services Division, which provided termination and admission data. Preliminary findings focused on the periods of June to November and September to November, in the years 1989 and 1990. The findings show a significant difference in per diem admissions in the year without emergency reviews, and no significant difference in terminations in the year without emergency reviews and with emergency reviews. These results suggest that the emergency review process did not increase termination rates. Per diem placements cannot be linearly manipulated to produce early terminations. Instead, placement admissions and release decisions should be based on a well-defined mission, strategy, and matching continuum of care. 2 figures, 1 table, and 3 references