Citation

Zhou E, Decou CR, Stuber J, Rowhani-Rahbar A, Kume K, Rivara FP. Arch. Suicide Res. 2019; ePub(ePub): 1-13.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, International Academy of Suicide Research, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13811118.2019.1635932

PMID

31248352

Abstract

Hospital Emergency Departments (EDs) are important settings for the implementation of effective suicide-specific care. Usual care for suicidal patients who present to EDs remains under-studied. This study surveyed EDs in Washington State to assess the adoption of written procedures for recommended standards of care for treating suicidality. Most (N = 79, 84.9%) of the 93 EDs in Washington State participated. Most (n = 58, 73.4%) hospitals had a written protocol for suicide risk assessment, but half (n = 42, 53.2%) did not include documentation of access to lethal means. There was evidence of an association between patient volume and the adoption of suicide-specific protocols and procedures. Our findings suggest the need to enhance the adoption and implementation of recommended standard care in this setting.

Language: en

Keywords

Emergency Department; Means Safety; Suicide; Treatment protocols; Usual Care