[Suicide over weekend leave--a seldom regarded risk factor].
OBJECTIVE
The study aims at differentiating qualitative and quantitative aspects of inpatient suicide on weekdays and during the weekend.


METHODS
51 consecutive suicides in a large psychiatric hospital were analysed retrospectively.


RESULTS
14 of 51 suicides occurred during weekend leave, most of them on a Saturday or Sunday. The rate of suicides in the hospital on a Saturday or Sunday is extremely low.


CONCLUSIONS
Weekend leave from inpatient treatment must be considered as a risk factor of its own.
Hoffmann-Richter
U
U
Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik Basel.
Bullinger
A
A
Oesterreich
C
C
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013557:Switzerland; D000092864:Suicide Prevention