Service Implications of Providing Intensive Monitoring During High-Risk Periods for Suicide Among VA Patients With Depression

This study assessed the frequency of high-risk periods in clinical settings, the levels of monitoring provided during these periods, & the estimated costs of providing monitoring consistent with the most stringent recommendations for treatment periods after antidepressant change. Over the study period (1999-2004), Veterans Affairs’ patients averaged less than one high-risk period each year. The completed an average of 2.4 monitoring visits during the 12-week period after antidepressant treatment events & 4.9 visits after psychiatric hospitalization. During fiscal year 2004 providing intensive monitoring during all high-risk periods would have cost an additional $183-$270 million. Providing such monitoring only after psychiatric hospitalization would have cost an additional $15-$17 million. (36 refs.)