Signs of Silent Suicide Among Depressed Hospitalized Geriatric Patients

This study sought to determine whether nurses noted the signs of silent suicide in the medical records of elderly depressed hospitalized patients. The review of medical charts was limited to the nursing documentation to determine signs related to silent suicide, evidence of psychiatric medications used to intervene, & notation of psychiatric referrals. 50 of 200 patients had Geriatric Depression Scale scores reflective of depression; the charts of 41 of these patients were retrievable & reviewed. Of the six signs of silent suicide, most charts had nurses’ notations of five to six of the signs. Only two of these patients were referred for any psychiatric consultation. (12 refs.)