Suicide rate following attendance at an accident and emergency department with deliberate self harm

Abstract

Objective - To determine the risk of suicide in patients attending an accident and emergency (A&E) department with deliberate self harm. Methods - Information was obtained on suicides and open verdicts from the coroner's office and cross checked with computerised records in the A&E department. Results - There was a trend to suicide among younger socially isolated males and older females. Conclusions - There is a significant association between suicide and a previous attendance at A&E with deliberate self harm. Appropriate assessment of these patients is an efficient way of managing self harm.