Suicide Rate in ER Psychiatric Patients Seven Times Norm

Describes a study of 5,265 emergency room patients who were subsequently matched against a state list of completed suicides for the same period. A random sample of ER patients was also compared with the completed suicides on selected aspects. Findings showed the suicide rate in the ER population to be 7 times the norm. Most of the completed suicides had presented with affective disorders, substance abuse, or schizophrenia. Patients with more than 1 ER visit had a higher rate of suicide. (LH)