scholarly journals Emergency Department Re-Presentations Following Intentional Self-Harm

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Silke Kuehl

<p>Repeat intentional self-harm (ISH) episodes are strongly correlated to suicide. Intentional self-harm for this thesis includes suicide attempts, deliberate self-harm and suicidal ideation. The aim was to describe what factors contribute to people re-presenting to the emergency department (ED) within one week of a previous visit for intentional self-harm. Objectives identified were to describe the people using demographic and clinical features; describe and evaluate ED management; and identify possible personal or system reasons as to why people re-present to ED within one week. A retrospective observational design was selected for a period of one year. The data was collected from electronic clinical case notes. The sample consisted of 48 people with 73 presentations and re-presentations. Descriptive and inferential analyses were undertaken using the Statistical Programme for Social Science (SPSS). Missing data limited the number of inferential analyses. Outcome measures were divided into information regarding the person and the presentation. This study made several discoveries: many representations (55%) occurred within one day; the exact number of people who represented many times to ED is unknown, but is far higher than reported in other studies; fewer support people were present for the second presentation; the documentation of triage and assessments by ED staff was often minimal, though frequently portrayed immense distress of this population; cultural input for Maori was missing; physical health complaints and psychosis were found with some intentional self-harm presentations; challenging behaviours occurred in at least a quarter of presentations; and the medical and mental health inpatient admission rates were approximately 50% higher for second presentations. Recommendations in regard to the use of a triage assessment tool, the practice of reviewing peoples' past presentations and the need for a mental health consultation liaison nurse in ED are made. Staff education, collaboration between services with consumer involvement and further research of this group are required. This study supports the need for holistic and expert care for people who present ED with intentional self-harm. Such care needs to be provided in a safe way with the intent on reducing the distress experienced by people who intentionally self-harm.</p>

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Silke Kuehl

<p>Repeat intentional self-harm (ISH) episodes are strongly correlated to suicide. Intentional self-harm for this thesis includes suicide attempts, deliberate self-harm and suicidal ideation. The aim was to describe what factors contribute to people re-presenting to the emergency department (ED) within one week of a previous visit for intentional self-harm. Objectives identified were to describe the people using demographic and clinical features; describe and evaluate ED management; and identify possible personal or system reasons as to why people re-present to ED within one week. A retrospective observational design was selected for a period of one year. The data was collected from electronic clinical case notes. The sample consisted of 48 people with 73 presentations and re-presentations. Descriptive and inferential analyses were undertaken using the Statistical Programme for Social Science (SPSS). Missing data limited the number of inferential analyses. Outcome measures were divided into information regarding the person and the presentation. This study made several discoveries: many representations (55%) occurred within one day; the exact number of people who represented many times to ED is unknown, but is far higher than reported in other studies; fewer support people were present for the second presentation; the documentation of triage and assessments by ED staff was often minimal, though frequently portrayed immense distress of this population; cultural input for Maori was missing; physical health complaints and psychosis were found with some intentional self-harm presentations; challenging behaviours occurred in at least a quarter of presentations; and the medical and mental health inpatient admission rates were approximately 50% higher for second presentations. Recommendations in regard to the use of a triage assessment tool, the practice of reviewing peoples' past presentations and the need for a mental health consultation liaison nurse in ED are made. Staff education, collaboration between services with consumer involvement and further research of this group are required. This study supports the need for holistic and expert care for people who present ED with intentional self-harm. Such care needs to be provided in a safe way with the intent on reducing the distress experienced by people who intentionally self-harm.</p>


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan J Edwards ◽  
Jonathan Edelson ◽  
Hannah Katcoff ◽  
Antara Mondal ◽  
Debra Lefkowitz ◽  
...  

Introduction: There are minimal data describing the prevalence of mental health disorders (MHDO) in VAD-supported patients, or the association between MHDO and resource use or outcomes. Methods: This retrospective analysis utilizes all emergency department (ED) encounter-level data from the 2010-2017 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS). Patients with VADs were identified using ICD-9/10 codes, as were associated MHDO diagnoses, which were categorized as depression/anxiety, suicide/self harm, bipolar/psychoses, and substance abuse. Outcomes and characteristics were compared for patients with and without a MHDO via descriptive statistics. Hospital admission and mortality occurring in ED or inpatient was investigated with logistic multivariable regression models adjusted for demographic and clinical characteristics. Results: Of the 47,543 encounters with VADs during the study period, 23% (n=11,103) had at least one MHDO. Depression/anxiety (82%) and substance abuse (22%) were the most prevalent MHDOs. Suicide attempt or self harm was the primary diagnosis for 20 (0.2%) encounters. Patients with MHDOs were more likely to be female (31% vs. 26%), younger (median age 59 vs. 61 years), and to have a non-MHDO chronic condition (77% vs 70%, P<0.0001 for all). Inpatient admission rates (79% vs. 59%) and charges ($33,421 (95% CI 15,074-73,517) vs. $21,346 (95% CI 5,290-56,910) were higher for those with MHDOs (both p<0.0001, Figure). However, mortality (2.0% vs. 3.3%, p=0.003) was lower. After adjusting for age, gender, and non-MHDO diagnoses, patients with MHDOs had higher admission rates (OR 2.3 (95% CI 1.8-2.9), p<0.001) and lower mortality (OR 0.63 (95% CI 0.42-0.94), p=0.03). Discussion: 1 in 5 VAD-supported ED patient encounters also have a MHDO diagnosis. VAD-supported patients with a MHDO had higher resource use but lower mortality. These data underscore the need for greater attention to how MHDO may impact outcomes in VAD-supported patients.


Author(s):  
Hassen Al-Amin ◽  
Rajvir Singh ◽  
Mohamad Abdulrazzak ◽  
Suhaila Ghuloum

Abstract The aims of this study were to retrospectively assess the profiles of subjects with suicide attempts and self-harm in Doha, Qatar; and whether the available data were complete. We reviewed all the records of fatal and non-fatal suicides together with accidental self-ham cases seen in the major Emergency Department in Doha, over a one-year period. There was 37 completed suicide, mostly male expatriates in mid 30 s who died by hanging. In cases with suicide intent (N = 270), more males were admitted to Psychiatry than women. Overdose was the common method and the majority had mood disorders. In self-harm cases with no suicide intent (N = 150) the majority were not seen by Psychiatry. The profiles of suicide cases in Qatar are similar to those reported internationally. However, there is a major need to establish a comprehensive system to register and assess all self-harm patients in Qatar.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-97
Author(s):  
Michael Brian Haslam ◽  
Emma S. Jones

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to consider the influence of the Emergency Department (ED) target wait time upon the discharge decision in ED, specifically for patients who have self-harmed. Pressures to discharge patients to avoid breaching the 4-h target wait time, potentially increase the risk of adverse responses from clinicians. For the patient who has self-harmed, such interactions may be experienced as invalidating and may result in adverse outcomes. Design/methodology/approach Secondary data analysis was applied to the retrospective referral data of a Mental Health Liaison Team (MHLT), collected over a period of 11 months from a single hospital in the North of England. In total, 734 episodes of care were referred to the team from ED, where the primary presentation was recorded as self-harm. Findings Over half of patients referred to the MHLT from ED having self-harmed were seen after already breaching the target and the potential for a more restrictive outcome reduced. Of those patients seen within 4 h, the potential for a more restrictive treatment option was increased. Practical implications Recommendations to improve the patient journey for those who have self-harmed include mental health triage and treatment in clinical areas outside of the target. Social implications This study challenges the concept of the target as being realistic and attainable for patients who have self-harmed. Originality/value This exploratory study provides a starting point from which to explore the impact of the target time upon discharge decisions and clinical outcomes specifically for those who have self-harmed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. e45-e45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Mitchell ◽  
Cornelius Ani ◽  
James Irvine ◽  
Claude Cyr ◽  
Ari Joffe ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Suicide is the second leading cause of death among Canadian adolescents. Youth who make near fatal suicide attempts, such as those requiring intensive care unit (ICU) level care, are the closest proxy to those that die by suicide; however, there is limited data on this group. Objectives To evaluate the minimum incidence rate and patterns of presentation of youth (under 18 years of age) admitted to the ICU for medically serious self-inflicted injury. Design/Methods From January 2017 to December 2018, over 2,700 paediatricians/subspecialist members of the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program were electronically surveyed on a monthly basis regarding cases of medically serious self-harm. Participants completed a detailed questionnaire about the reported case and descriptive statistics were used for analyses. Results Ninety-four cases (71 female; mean age 15.2 years) of confirmed (n=87) and suspected/probable (n=7) medically serious self-harm were reported. The majority (87%) of cases were reported from 4 out of 13 provinces and territories in Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec). There were 11 deaths by suicide (M&gt;F; p&lt;.05). Medication ingestion was the most common method of self-harm among females (76% F vs. 52% M; p=.03) compared with hanging among males (14% F vs. 39% M; p=.009). More females than males had a prior suicide attempt (62% F vs. 32% M; p=.07) and a history of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) (65% F vs. 14% M; p&lt;.05), although only history of NSSI reached significance. More females than males had a past psychiatric diagnosis (77% F vs. 55% M; p=.05), and past use of mental health services (69% F vs. 30% M; p&lt;.001), although only service use reached significance. Half of the youth left evidence of intent (54%) and 33% of parents of included youth were aware that their child was considering suicide. Family conflict was the most common precipitating factor for suicide attempt in both females and males (46%). Conclusion These Canadian findings are consistent with international epidemiologic data that observe a gender paradox of higher rates of suicide attempts in females and greater mental health care engagement but increased suicide mortality in males with decreased involvement with mental health care. This study suggests that family conflict is a potential target for suicide prevention interventions among youth. Future research focusing on gender-specificity in risk factor identification and effectiveness of primary prevention interventions among youth is warranted.


2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. McManus ◽  
D. Gunnell

Abstract There are concerns about high levels of mental ill-health amongst university students, but little is known about the mental health of students compared to non-students over time. Using data on young people (16–24) from three UK National Psychiatric Morbidity Surveys (2000, 2007, and 2014), we found no evidence that the overall prevalence of common mental disorder (CMD), suicide attempts, or non-suicidal self-harm (NSSH) differed between students and non-students, although there was an indication that CMDs rose markedly in female students between 2007 and 2014. A rise in NSSH is apparent in both students and non-students.


2003 ◽  
Vol 183 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaura Gairin ◽  
Allan House ◽  
David Owens

BackgroundThe National Confidential Inquiry into suicides in England and Wales found that a quarter of suicides are preceded by mental health service contact in the year before death. However, visits to accident and emergency departments due to self-harm may not lead to a record of mental health service contact.AimsTo determine the proportion of suicides preceded by accident and emergency attendance in the previous year.MethodWe obtained the list of probable suicides in Leeds for a 38-month period, and examined the records from thecity's accident and emergency departments for a year before each death.ResultsEighty-five (39%) of the 219 people who later died by suicide had attended an accident and emergency department in the year before death, 15% because of non-fatal self-harm. Final visits dueto self-harm were often shortly before suicide (median 38 days), but the National Confidential Inquiry recorded about a fifth of them as‘not in contact’ with local mental health services.ConclusionsAlthough many suicides are preceded by recent attendance at accident and emergency departments due to non-fatal self-harm, local mental health service records may show no recent contact. Suicide prevention might be enhanced were accident and emergency departments and mental health services to work together more closely.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Hansen ◽  
Dessi Slavova ◽  
Gena Cooper ◽  
Jaryd Zummer ◽  
Julia F Costich

Abstract Background Non-suicidal self-injury and suicide attempts are increasing problems among American adolescents. This study proposed a definition for identifying intentional self-harm injuries (ISHIs) in emergency department (ED) records coded with International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) codes and sought to estimate: (1) the definition’s positive predictive value (PPV) in a pediatric population treated in one Kentucky ED, and (2) the proportion of Intentional self-harm injuries (ISHIs) with intent to die (i.e., suicide attempt) that cannot be captured by ICD-10-CM codes and can only be identified by a medical record abstraction. Methods The study definition captured initial encounters for ISHIs based on first valid external cause-of-injury self-harm codes in the ICD-10-CM range X71-X83, T14.91, T36-T65, or T71. Medical records for a random sample of 207 ED discharge records were reviewed following a specified protocol. The PPV for the study definition was reported with its 95% confidence interval (95%CI). Results The estimated PPV for the study definition’s ability to capture true ISHIs was 88.9%, 95%CI (83.8%, 92.8%). The estimated percentage of ISHIs with intent to die was 45.9%, 95%CI (47.1%, 61.0%). The ICD-10-CM code “suicide attempt” (T14.91) captured only 7 cases, but coding guidelines allow assignment of this code only when the mechanism of the suicide attempt is unknown. Conclusions This study demonstrated a critical shortcoming in U.S. morbidity surveillance. The ICD-10-CM coding system and coding guidelines do not allow accurate identification of ISHIs with intent to die; modifications are needed to address this issue.


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