Base Rates of Firearm Possession by Hospitalized Psychiatric Patients

Base rates of firearm possession reported by hospitalized psychiatric patients were assessed. A retrospective review was done of 100 patients consecutively admitted after a hospital incorporated routine firearm screening in the workup done at admission & the charts of 100 patients consecutively admitted before this policy. Whereas 1 patient acknowledged having a firearm when screening was done on an as-needed basis, under routine screening nine patients reported owning or having access to a firearm. Strategies to manage the risk of suicide & violence by hospitalized patients may benefit from routine assessment of firearm possession. (13 refs.)