@article{ref1,
title="Predicting hospitalization versus discharge of suicidal patients presenting to a psychiatric emergency service",
journal="Psychiatric services",
year="2007",
author="Goldberg, Joseph F. and Ernst, Carrie L. and Bird, S.",
volume="58",
number="4",
pages="561-565",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: Suicidal ideation frequently prompts visits to psychiatric emergency departments, and more information is needed about factors that mediate clinicians' decisions to hospitalize or discharge patients with suicidal ideation. METHODS: The authors reviewed records for 257 patients presenting with suicidal ideation to a psychiatric emergency service. Demographic and clinical correlates of hospitalization were examined by backward stepwise binary logistic regression. RESULTS: Hospitalization occurred for 70% of suicidal persons and was significantly associated with psychosis, a history of attempted suicide, and a suicidal plan. With potential confounding factors controlled, these variables correctly classified 80% of hospitalization decisions. CONCLUSIONS: Psychosis, past suicide attempts, and the presence of a suicide plan robustly predicted the decision to hospitalize suicidal persons seen in psychiatric emergency services. Diagnosis, pharmacotherapy, having a psychiatrist, and insurance subtype were unrelated to hospitalization decisions, suggesting that psychiatric emergency department staff perceive few alternatives to hospitalization when psychosis and suicide plans accompany suicidal ideation.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1075-2730",
doi="10.1176/appi.ps.58.4.561",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.58.4.561"
}