Citation

Runeson B, Wasserman D, Traskman-Bendz L, Agren H, Åsberg M. Nord. J. Psychiatry 1994; 48(2): 117-120.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.3109/08039489409078137

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A questionnaire sent to psychiatric care providers in Sweden contained questions on the management of suicide attempters. Routines for admission, psychiatric consultation for suicide risk assessment, and follow-up after discharge were focused on. Participation was satisfactory: 89 of 111 (80% questionnaires were answered. In two of three districts, specific routines for the management of suicidal patients had been included in written memoranda. In 73% of the districts, all patients referred to the somatic emergency ward were assessed by a physician from the department of psychiatry; in 61% of these, however, the physician was not always a specialized psychiatrist. Rating scales for assessment of suicide risk were used in 22% of the districts. Special follow-up approaches after suicide attempts were rarely available, nor was there any registration of suicide attempts. Nevertheless, almost all psychiatric care providers had a very positive attitude towards a continuous effort to develop better routines. © 1994 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.

Language: en