Citation

Ruff F, Hemmer A, Bartsch C, Glasow N, Reisch T. Psychiatr. Prax. 2018; 45(6): 307-313.

Vernacular Title

Suizide während psychiatrischen Hospitalisationen.

Affiliation

Universitätsklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Bern, Schweiz.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Georg Thieme Verlag)

DOI

10.1055/s-0043-120888

PMID

29665611

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To analyze characteristics of suicide methods of psychiatric inpatients that were carried out within and outside of psychiatric hospitals in order to identify adequate suicide prevention measures.

METHODS: Data of 436 inpatient suicides were included in the data base of all institutes of forensic medicine in Switzerland for the years 2000 - 2010. We compared details of suicide methods that were applied within and outside psychiatric hospitals.

RESULTS: About two thirds of all suicides were carried out outside psychiatric hospitals. Inpatients most often used jumping in front of a train, jumps from heights and drowning outside of the hospital. Within psychiatric care units patients most often died by hanging, jumps from height and self-poisoning. Heights of fall were significantly lower in suicides carried out within the hospital (Median 9 versus 22 m). In psychiatric hospitals incomplete hanging was found in 75.6 %. Waist belts were the tools most often employed.

CONCLUSIONS: Windows and other spots in inpatient units should be secured if higher than first storey respectively 4 meters. Suspension points have to be secured at a low level especially in non-public rooms.

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Language: de

Language: de

Language: de

Language: de

Language: de