Psychiatric Bulletin (2005) 29: 305-308. doi: 10.1192/pb.29.8.305
© 2005 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
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Psychiatric Bulletin (2005) 29: 305-308
© 2005 The Royal College of Psychiatrists

A survey of admissions following self-poisoning

Stephen J. Leslie, Specialist Registrar

Department of Medicine, Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary, Major Loan, Falkirk FK15QE, Scotland, UK, tel: 01324 624000; e-mail: s.j.leslie{at}ed.ac.uk

Lynn Greig, Specialist Registrar

Department of Medicine, Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary

Rhona Mackie, Liaison Psychiatry Sister

Department of Medicine, Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary

Michael Gotz, Consultant Psychiatrist

Department of Medicine, Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary

Douglas Morrison, Consultant Physician

Department of Medicine, Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary

Declaration of interest

None.

AIMS AND METHOD

Patients who self-poison are at increased risk of future self-poisoning and early death. Admission patterns and effective treatment strategies are unclear although psychosocial assessment may reduce readmissions. This study aimed to determine admission patterns and the proportion of patients receiving a psychiatric assessment in 4220 consecutive admissions.

RESULTS

The average age was 34 years (s.d.=13, range 13-94); most were female (56 v. 44%, P<0.001). Twelve per cent of patients were aged 13-18 years, again the majority were female (70 v. 30%, P<0.001). Twenty per cent of patients had multiple admissions, accounting for 42% of the total admissions. There were slightly more admissions per day at the weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday; P<0.002). As many as 245 patients were either not referred or ‘self-discharged’ before they were assessed by the liaison psychiatry service.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

These findings may help target medical resources, suggesting that consistent numbers of staff are required during all days of the week.




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