@article{ref1,
title="Improving suicide risk detection and clinical follow-up after discharge from nursing homes",
journal="Clinical gerontologist",
year="2021",
author="Hilgeman, Michelle M. and Simons, Kelsey V. and Bower, Emily S. and Jacobs, M. Lindsey and Eichorst, Morgan and Luci, Katherine",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: Suicide Awareness for Veterans Exiting Community Living Centers (SAVE-CLC) is a brief intervention to standardize suicide-risk screening and clinical follow-up after VA nursing home discharge. This paper examines the outcomes of SAVE-CLC compared to care as usual.<br><br>METHODS: A quasi-experimental evaluation was conducted (N = 124) with SAVE-CLC patients (n = 62) matched 1:1 to a pre-implementation comparison group. Data were obtained through VA Corporate Data Warehouse resources and chart reviews. Outcomes examined (within 30/90 days of discharge) included mortality rates, frequency of outpatient mental health visits, emergency department visits, rehospitalizations, depression screens (PHQ-2), and the latency period for outpatient mental health care.<br><br>RESULTS: A greater portion of SAVE-CLC patients received a depression screen after discharge, n = 42, 67.7% versus n = 8, 12.9%, OR = 14.2 (5.7, 35.3), p < .001. The number of days between discharge and first mental health visit was also substantially shorter for SAVE-CLC patients, M = 8.9, SD = 8.2 versus M = 17.6, SD = 9.1; t = 2.47 (122), p = .02. Significant differences were not observed in emergency department visits, hospitalizations, or mortality.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: SAVE-CLC is a time-limited intervention for detecting risk and speeding engagement in mental health care in the immediate high-risk post-discharge period.Clinical Implications: Care transitions present an important opportunity for addressing older adults' suicide risk; brief telephone-based interventions like SAVE-CLC may provide needed support to individuals returning home.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0731-7115",
doi="10.1080/07317115.2021.1927280",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2021.1927280"
}