Inpatient suicide on a general hospital psychiatric ward - Does experience with high risk patients help to prevent suicides?

Author(s): Strandberg, J., Kujari, H.

Journal/Book: Arch Suicide Res. 1996; 2: Spuiboulevard 50, PO Box 17, 3300 AA Dordrecht, Netherlands. Kluwer Academic Publ. 119-124.

Abstract: The suicide rate on a general hospital psychiatric ward taking care of highly suicidal patients was 3.2/1000 admissions over a 11-year period. This figure was lower than the suicide rate of a psychiatric hospital in the same city. Although the number of admissions increased during the period, concurrently a statistically significant decrease in suicide rate took place. The authors conclude that accretion of experience on the treatment of suicidal patients and application of adequate physical safety measures helped in suicide prevention on the ward. It seems that a voluntary general hospital psychiatric ward can safely take care of non-psychotic suicidal patients.

Note: Article Taiminen TJ, Univ Turku, Cent Hosp, Dept Psychiat, Kiinamyllynkatu 4-8, FIN-20520 Turku, FINLAND

Keyword(s): general hospital psychiatric ward; inpatient suicide

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