Citation

Saritemur M, Gür STA, Bayramoǧlu A, Akoz A, Emet M. Turk. J. Emerg. Med. 2013; 13(1): 8-12.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Emergency Medicine Association of Turkey, Publisher KARE Publishing)

DOI

10.5505/1304.7361.2013.52386

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Patients who have attempted suicide require a multidisciplinary approach. Currently, a large proportion of treatment and follow-up is performed in emergency departments (EDs) and intensive care units (ICUs). In our study, we aimed to investigate which clinics perform treatment, follow-up, and psychiatric evaluation of these patients, and differences in follow-up between patients with and without altered mental status (AMS) in our hospital.

METHODS: Patients older than 16 years admitted to our ED between December 10, 2008 and February 15, 2011 for suicide attempts were reviewed retrospectively. Patients with Glasgow Coma scores =14 were determined to have AMS.

RESULTS: A total of 304 patients were included in the study, 84 of which had AMS. Of the patients, 67.1% (n=204) were female and the mean age was 25.8±9.1 years. Of the patients with AMS, 92.9% (n=78) were admitted to the hospital, and 48.8% (n=41) were admitted to the observation room of the ED. The percentage of patients without AMS who were admitted was 69.5% (n=153), and 43.2% (n=95) were admitted to the ED. Of the patients, 13.1% (n=11) with AMS and 16.8% (n=37) without AMS had previously attempted suicide. The rate of suicide attempts with more than one drug was similar and quite high in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS: In cases of suicide attempts associated with trauma, EDs, ICUs, and surgical clinics play key roles in the treatment of these patients. Therefore, improved awareness of optimal treatment for AMS patients at these clinics will enhance the quality of care.

Language: tr

Keywords

human; Suicide; female; male; suicide attempt; Emergency department; article; major clinical study; mental disease; disease association; hospital admission; emergency ward; health personnel attitude; psychiatric diagnosis; follow up; mental health center; Glasgow coma scale; patient assessment; altered mental status; Altered mental status