title: Postdischarge Behavioral Health Treatment and 6-Month Reattempt Rate for Veterans Hospitalized for Suicide Attempt.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The highest risk for suicide occurs immediately after psychiatric discharge. The U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs' (VA) suicide prevention program emphasizes suicide surveillance and frequent contact after suicide attempt.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the 6-month reattempt rate and appointment characteristics for veterans after VA hospitalization for suicide attempt.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective observational study identified veterans hospitalized for suicide attempt (N = 504). Comparisons of patient characteristics and treatment delivery were conducted between veteran groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sample (N = 504) was predominantly White (82%) and male (91%), with a median age of 50 years. The 6-month reattempt rate was 6%. Timing of first appointment was earlier in the reattempt group (n = 20) versus the no-reattempt group (n = 467). Appointment intensity, especially telephone appointments, was greater in the reattempt group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The effect of postdischarge treatment on preventing suicide cannot be determined by evaluating only treatment timing and intensity. Future studies should measure the treatment quality and clinical severity.
authors.affiliation: Alice C. Bernet, PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, Nashville, TN, USA alice.c.bernet@vanderbilt.edu.
authors.forename: Alice C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Bernet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013689:Telephone; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000092864:Suicide Prevention
keywords: service delivery research; suicide and self-destructive behavior; veterans issues