Use of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale Screener in a General Hospital Setting

Specific differences between interviewer-rated and self-report suicide risk assessments are unknown. This descriptive cross-sectional study examined the acceptance of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) screener, conducted by nurse-interviewers versus self-reporting, and identified the factors contributing to refusal in each mode. We reviewed the charts of inpatients at a general hospital that included the C-SSRS screener at the time of admission. C-SSRS screening by a nurse-interviewer and self-reported mode were included. Two modes and the acceptors and refusers were compared using descriptive statistics. Multi-variate logistic regression was performed to determine associations between the studied factors and suicide risk. The study included 398 patients. The acceptance of the nurse-interview and self-report modes was 93.8% and 74.7%, respectively. Refusers for the former were more likely to be male (p = 0.029) and from the surgical departments (p < 0.001). Refusers for the latter tended to be older (p < 0.001). Compared to the nurse-interview group, the self-report group was more likely to report a high risk of suicide (odds ratio = 6.508, p = 0.041). Each mode of the C-SSRS screener, when used in general hospital inpatients, has its own advantages and disadvantages. Healthcare providers should select the mode optimal for their institutional environment after comprehensively considering the patients' characteristics and available hospital resources.