Factors Complicating Cost Containment in the Treatment of Suicidal Patients

The following 5 factors which complicate efforts to contain the cost of treating suicidal patients are outlined & discussed: 1) assessment techniques cannot identify the small number of patients who will complete suicide; 2) parasuicidal & malingering patients who must be hospitalized; 3) “revolving-door” admissions of highly suicidal patients; 4) decreased lengths of stay, managed care, & reduced outpatient benefits; & 5) overutilization of inpatient treatment perpetuated by fear of liability.