Follow-up care common among suicidal adolescents seen in EDs

SAN FRANCISCO — Most adolescents that had been seen in emergency departments for suicidal thoughts or behaviors remained at high risk even a month after the hospital visit, according to data presented here at the 2010 AAP National Conference and Exhibition.

Researchers from the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Ohio conducted a prospective study involving children aged 11 to 18 years who had been seen in emergency departments for suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

“We plan to use the results of this study to develop interventions that will focus on delivering appropriate and effective mental health services to these high-risk teenagers,” said study researcher Brad Sobolewski, MD.

One month after a child’s discharge, the researchers interviewed parents and guardians via telephone about current suicidal tendencies, follow-up with mental health care professionals and subsequent ED visits resulting from suicidal attempts or ideation.

Results indicated that ED physicians discharged 46 children with suicidal ideation after mental health evaluations — 35 of whom were successfully contacted for follow-up. The researchers said 84.8% of these patients had previous psychiatric diagnoses, and 28.3% had spent time in an inpatient psychiatric facility.

Data also indicated that 94.1% of children underwent follow-up with a mental health professional within 1 month of discharge from the ED, with 11 of 35 children exhibiting current suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Further, 17.1% of the 35 children had returned to the ED for mental health concerns since their first visit. Of these, 83.3% were admitted as inpatients.

The researchers said 88.6% of all patients reported positive experiences with mental health care. — by Melissa Foster

For more information:

Sobolewski B. 1132. Presented at: 2010 AAP National Conference and Exhibition; Oct. 2-5, 2010; San Francisco.