Article type
Abstract
Background:
Suicide is a global public health concern. Suicide has become a leading cause of death among age groups worldwide. In the US, suicide is the second leading cause of death in ages 10-14 and 20-34. Early screening and detection are crucial for prevention.
Objective:
Determine the prevalence and characteristics of suicide risk among patients admitted to an academic medical center.
Methods:
The ASQ screening questions (4-items) were administered to all patients ages 12 and above upon admission or presentation to the Emergency Department (ED) at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. A total of 29,019 patients were screened, of which 4,563 were pediatrics patients and 24,456 were adult patients. Screenings were completed in the ED, Medical-Surgical (Med-Surg), Behavioral, Psychiatry, Operating Room, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Labor and delivery, and Obstetrics and Gynecology Emergency units. 75% patients are admitted through the ED resulting in 52.3% of screening occurring in the ED unless the patient was unconscious on arrival.
Results:
Across all pediatric patients, 11% (n=502) screened positive and 1.84% (n=84) screened acutely positive. Pediatric patients screened in the Behavioral unit (81.25%) and ICU (13.04%) had a higher percentage of positive screenings compared to other units. Regarding acutely positive screenings, the pediatric Med-Surg (2.83%) and Behavioral (25.00%) units had the highest percentages. Across all adult patients, 3.33% (n=814) screened positive and 1.70% (n=416) screened acutely positive. Adult patients admitted to Psychiatry had a higher percentage of positive screenings (52.37%) and acute positive screenings (34.09%) compared to other adult units. All other adult units had a low percentage of both positive (range = 0.00 to 2.63%) and acute positive (range = 0.00 to 1.39%) suicide screenings.
Conclusion:
Alarmingly, pediatric patients had a relatively high number of positive suicide screens, with higher than anticipated numbers in the ICU and Med-Surg units. This investigation highlights the relative risk of suicide in pediatric and adult patients and emphasizes the importance of universal suicide screening in the medical setting.
Relevance:
Patients admitted to the hospital, regardless of reason for admission, may experience suicidal ideation requiring mental health intervention in addition to treatment for a physical diagnosis
Suicide is a global public health concern. Suicide has become a leading cause of death among age groups worldwide. In the US, suicide is the second leading cause of death in ages 10-14 and 20-34. Early screening and detection are crucial for prevention.
Objective:
Determine the prevalence and characteristics of suicide risk among patients admitted to an academic medical center.
Methods:
The ASQ screening questions (4-items) were administered to all patients ages 12 and above upon admission or presentation to the Emergency Department (ED) at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. A total of 29,019 patients were screened, of which 4,563 were pediatrics patients and 24,456 were adult patients. Screenings were completed in the ED, Medical-Surgical (Med-Surg), Behavioral, Psychiatry, Operating Room, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Labor and delivery, and Obstetrics and Gynecology Emergency units. 75% patients are admitted through the ED resulting in 52.3% of screening occurring in the ED unless the patient was unconscious on arrival.
Results:
Across all pediatric patients, 11% (n=502) screened positive and 1.84% (n=84) screened acutely positive. Pediatric patients screened in the Behavioral unit (81.25%) and ICU (13.04%) had a higher percentage of positive screenings compared to other units. Regarding acutely positive screenings, the pediatric Med-Surg (2.83%) and Behavioral (25.00%) units had the highest percentages. Across all adult patients, 3.33% (n=814) screened positive and 1.70% (n=416) screened acutely positive. Adult patients admitted to Psychiatry had a higher percentage of positive screenings (52.37%) and acute positive screenings (34.09%) compared to other adult units. All other adult units had a low percentage of both positive (range = 0.00 to 2.63%) and acute positive (range = 0.00 to 1.39%) suicide screenings.
Conclusion:
Alarmingly, pediatric patients had a relatively high number of positive suicide screens, with higher than anticipated numbers in the ICU and Med-Surg units. This investigation highlights the relative risk of suicide in pediatric and adult patients and emphasizes the importance of universal suicide screening in the medical setting.
Relevance:
Patients admitted to the hospital, regardless of reason for admission, may experience suicidal ideation requiring mental health intervention in addition to treatment for a physical diagnosis