Current Status of Providing Care to Suicidal Patients who among Emergency Nurses

Abstract

Aim: The present study aimed to clarify the current status of emergency nurses who provide care to suicidal patients who might have suicidal ideation. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was distributed to 764 nurses in 32 emergency departments across Japan. Results: Responses from 302 (39.5%) nurses were valid. Among them, 206 (68.2%) reported an experience that confirmed suicidal ideation among patients. Responses to the open-ended questions were obtained from 197 nurses. These responses underwent qualitative descriptive analysis and categories were extracted. The categories, "Lack of ability/knowledge about how to care for suicidal patients", "Worry and concern about repeated suicide attempts and self-harm", "Confirming that the environment is difficult" and, "Physical and mental problems of patients", were associated with hindrances or barriers to confirming the presence of suicidal ideation among patients. Conclusion: Three strategies were identified to help emergency nurses effectively care for patients who self-harm: improving their knowledge, adjusting the care environment and enhancing support systems for nurses. 要 旨 目的：希死念慮を持っている可能性がある自殺未遂患者にケアを提供する救急業務に従事する看護師 の現状を明らかにすることを目的とした． 方法：全国の救命救急センターのうち 32 施設に勤務する看護師 764 名を対象に無記名自記式質問紙調 査を実施した． 結果：有効回答者は 302 名であり，そのうち 206 名（68.2%）の看護師が希死念慮を確認した経験が あった．197 名の看護師から得られた自由記述を質的記述的分析したところ， 「希死念慮を確認すること に支障となること」の設問に対する記述から【自殺未遂患者に対するケアについての知識不足・能力不 足】 【再自殺・自傷への心配や懸念】 【確認しにくい環境】 【患者の身体的・精神的問題】という 4 つのカ テゴリが抽出された． 受付日：2016 年 9 月 8 日 受理日：2017 年 4 月 7 日