Characteristics of and management strategies for 54 suicidal inpatients in a general hospital

Abstract

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to explore the characteristics of and preventive management strategies for suicidal inpatients in a general hospital. Methods A total of 54 suicide victims were drawn from a patient safety adverse event network reporting system during hospitalization in a general hospital from November 2008 to January 2017. Results Subjects who committed suicide in the general hospital were women and those who suffered from malignant neoplasms during general hospital treatment. Furthermore, most of the patients who committed suicide used more violent suicide methods. The most common and lethal means was jumping from heights at the windowsill. Conclusions It is concluded that management strategies for suicide prevention can be provided from the aspects of patients, medical staff and the hospital environment. It is not only urgent but also feasible to reduce the suicide rate of inpatients and further improve hospital safety management.