title: ED use by older adults attempting suicide.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to describe patterns of older adult patient visits to emergency departments (EDs) for self-harm and suicide-related injuries.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective, secondary data analysis of the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample was conducted. Nationally representative estimates of patient visits by older adults attempting suicide were calculated using available sampling weights. Population estimates were calculated using estimates from the US Census Bureau.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings suggest that 22,444 ED patient visits were made by adults aged 65 years and older for suicide-related injuries, representing an estimated population rate of 63 ED patient visits per 100000 adults aged 65 years and older, with nearly half of all visits involving substance use. Total ED and hospital charges exceeded $353.9 million.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Effort is needed to better integrate and deliver suicide screening and support services in the ED, while also connecting at-risk older adults with mental health services before and after the ED encounter.
authors.affiliation: College of Health Professions, Towson University, Towson, MD.
authors.forename: Mary W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.affiliation: Applied Gerontology Program, Towson University, Towson, MD.
authors.forename: Megan R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Reymann
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D017721:Hospital Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology