Hospital visit histories of suicide decedents: a study in Utah

The study aims to describe the 3-year hospital visit histories of suicide decedents in Utah grouped by the suicide method they used. Hospital visit histories from the Utah Office of Health Care Statistics were linked to a census of suicide mortality data from the National Violent Death Reporting System in 2014 and 2015. Overall, 14% of suicide decedents had visited a hospital for deliberate self-harm (DSH) and 49% for a behavioural health issue (BHI), including DSH, suicidal ideation, mental health and substance abuse, prior to their death. Firearms suicide decedents made up over half of all suicides but were the least likely to have a history of DSH or BHI prior to their death (8% and 41%, respectively). Few suicide decedents visited a hospital for DSH prior to their death, although half had visits for BHI. Hospital-based interventions that aim to prevent suicide should not be limited to visits for DSH.