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Suicidal behavior in psychiatric emergency room patients
1Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York at Stony Brook, USA.
Southern Medical Journal
|March 23, 2000
Summary
Suicidal behavior is common in psychiatric emergency room (ER) patients, affecting 38%. Identifying specific risk factors is crucial for effective suicide prevention in ER settings.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Emergency Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Psychiatric emergency room (ER) patients face elevated suicide risks.
- Understanding the prevalence and characteristics of suicidal behavior in this population is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the prevalence of suicidal behavior among psychiatric ER patients.
- To identify demographic and clinical characteristics associated with suicidal behavior in this group.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 311 consecutive psychiatric ER patients.
- Suicidal behavior defined as current suicidal ideation or attempts within 24 hours of evaluation.
Main Results:
- Suicidal behavior was present in 38% of patients.
- Associated factors included younger age, white race, affective disorders (females), and substance abuse disorders (males).
- Patient sex was not significantly associated with suicidal behavior.
Conclusions:
- Suicidal behavior is highly prevalent in psychiatric ER settings.
- Further research is needed to identify more specific risk factors for targeted suicide prevention strategies.