Suicide: risk factors and therapeutic considerations in the emergency department.
Emergency physicians often encounter covertly and overtly suicidal patients, and can thus play a key role in the prevention of suicide. The epidemiology and diverse presentations of suicidal behavior are reviewed. We then provide a detailed approach to the assessment of suicide risk, and criteria for safe discharge from the emergency department (ED). Finally, management considerations for the ED are discussed.
Buzan
R D
RD
Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver 80262.
Weissberg
M P
MP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003142:Communication; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012307:Risk Factors; D012919:Social Behavior; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D000092864:Suicide Prevention