Monitoring, evaluation, and referral of patients with suicide risk upon hospital admission

Abstract

Monitoring patients for suicide risk is a vital aspect of both initial and long-term psychiatric care for patients with suicidal behavior. A prior suicide attempt is the biggest risk factor for completed suicide, and the period immediately following a suicide attempt requires a high level of vigilance on the part of the care providers. Ongoing long-term monitoring for suicide risk is also crucial, because the risk of suicide can persist well beyond the acute phase of care. In this chapter, we discuss the importance of monitoring patients for suicide risk. We outline a number of well-known risk factors for suicidal behavior and discuss standardized instruments that are effective at predicting a high risk of suicidal behavior. We also detail our unit’s specific experience in dealing with suicidal patients and describe out strategies for inpatient and outpatient care as well as methods for ensuring continuity of care between these distinct phases.