Citation

Horrocks J, House A, Owens D. Psychiatr. Bull. 2004; 28(4): 137-139.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Royal College of Psychiatrists)

DOI

10.1192/pb.28.4.137

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Self-harm is a major risk factor for suicide (Gunnell & Frankel, 1994) with around a quarter of suicides preceded by non-fatal self-harm in the previous year (Owens & House, 1994). Strategies for suicide prevention should include accurate monitoring of health service contacts due to self-harm. Unfortunately, the published literature points to few practical steps for ensuring this accuracy. We offer an account of running a data-base, to assist others who might be setting out on this monitoring process.

Language: en

Keywords

human; suicide; accident; hospitalization; monitoring; accuracy; risk factor; article; data base; automutilation; medical record; mental health service; patient referral; patient information; publication; medical literature; emergency health service; fatality; information processing; medical documentation; health care planning; hospital service; computer system