Evaluation of Depression and Suicidal Patients in the Emergency Room

Shana Coshal; John Saunders; Anu A Matorin; Asim A Shah

doi:10.1016/j.psc.2017.05.008

Evaluation of Depression and Suicidal Patients in the Emergency Room

Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2017 Sep;40(3):363-377. doi: 10.1016/j.psc.2017.05.008.

Authors

Shana Coshal¹, John Saunders², Anu A Matorin³, Asim A Shah⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, 1502 Taub Loop, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
² Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza - BCM350, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Electronic address: John.saunders@bcm.edu.
³ Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza - BCM350, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
⁴ Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Family and Community Medicine, Ben Taub Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza - BCM350, Houston, TX 77030, USA.

PMID: 28800795
DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2017.05.008

Abstract

Depression is the leading cause of disability globally, and more than one-half of those suffering with depression are not receiving effective treatment. Untreated or undertreated depression poses a significant risk for suicide. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. The emergency room provides an essential opportunity to screen for depression as well as suicide and to provide important and evidence-based interventions. The Basic Suicide Assessment Five-step Evaluation (B-SAFE) model provides a structure for all physicians to assess suicide risk and intervene.

Keywords: B-SAFE; Depression; Emergency room; Suicide.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Depression / diagnosis*
Depression / drug therapy
Depression / therapy
Emergency Service, Hospital
Emergency Services, Psychiatric / methods*
Humans
Risk Assessment
Risk Factors
Suicidal Ideation*
Suicide, Attempted*