Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government

VA Health Systems Research

Go to the VA ORD website
Go to the QUERI website

HSR Citation Abstract

Search | Search by Center | Search by Source | Keywords in Title

Suicide Risk Management Protocol in Post-Cardiac Arrest Survivors: Development, Feasibility, and Outcomes.

Bucy RA, Hanisko KA, Kamphuis LA, Nallamothu BK, Iwashyna TJ, Pfeiffer PN. Suicide Risk Management Protocol in Post-Cardiac Arrest Survivors: Development, Feasibility, and Outcomes. Annals of the American Thoracic Society. 2017 Mar 1; 14(3):363-367.

Dimensions for VA is a web-based tool available to VA staff that enables detailed searches of published research and research projects.

If you have VA-Intranet access, click here for more information vaww.hsrd.research.va.gov/dimensions/

VA staff not currently on the VA network can access Dimensions by registering for an account using their VA email address.
   Search Dimensions for VA for this citation
* Don't have VA-internal network access or a VA email address? Try searching the free-to-the-public version of Dimensions



Abstract:

RATIONALE: Suicidal ideation is an important part of the spectrum of depression, but studies of outcomes after cardiac events often avoid asking about suicide as part of their assessment due to perceived resource constraints and the complexity of managing this finding. OBJECTIVES: To describe the development, feasibility, and outcomes of a suicide risk management protocol implemented by research assistants administering the Patient Health Questionnaire Depression Scale (PHQ-9). METHODS: Patients surviving in-hospital cardiac arrest at any Veterans Affairs hospital during 2014 to 2015 received PHQ-9 screening as a part of longitudinal telephone or mail interviews administered at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after hospital discharge. Those who screened positive for suicidal ideation were administered a telephone risk assessment protocol. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Fifty-five of 366 (15%) interviewed Veterans endorsed suicidal ideation according to the PHQ-9 on 82 of their completed interviews. Of those who endorsed suicidal ideation during their interview, 81% of interviews included passive suicidal ideation without intent or plan. Five (9%) patients were recommended to receive expedited follow-up with a mental health provider or suicide prevention coordinator located within their Veterans Affairs healthcare facility. In 50 (63%) interviews, the patient already had reliable resources, such as a mental health provider or the number to the Veterans Crisis Line. CONCLUSIONS: Suicidal ideation is common after in-hospital cardiac arrest, although most patients are at low risk. Addressing suicidal ideation in an observational research study is feasible, with a detailed protocol and research staff who can respond to incidents of high-risk suicidal ideation in collaboration with study clinicians.





Questions about the HSR website? Email the Web Team

Any health information on this website is strictly for informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition.