• Kirsi Suominen and Jouko Lönnqvist.
• Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research, National Public Health Institute, Mannerheimintie 166, FIN-00300 Helsinki, Finland. kirsi.suominen@ktl.fi <kirsi.suominen@ktl.fi>
• Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2006 Sep 1;28(5):424-30.

ObjectiveThis study investigated the characteristics of suicide attempters referred to psychiatric hospitals and the factors affecting such referral.MethodAll 1198 consecutive suicide attempters treated in general hospital emergency rooms in Helsinki during a 12-month period were identified. Data on all health care contacts 1 year before the index attempt and on referrals to psychiatric hospitals after the attempt were gathered.ResultsWe found that a quarter of patients were referred to psychiatric hospitals as inpatients after index suicide attempts. Factors predicting referral to psychiatric hospitals, compared to nonreferral, were older age, psychotic disorder, mood disorder, lack of alcohol consumption preceding the attempt, somatic illness, suicide attempt on a weekday, previous psychiatric treatment, psychiatric consultation and the hospital treating the suicide attempt.ConclusionAlthough the clinical characteristics of patients attempting suicide are a major determinant of whether they are subsequently referred to psychiatric hospitals, the treatment practices of emergency room hospitals also influence treatment decisions.

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