- Sex (male)
- Age less than 19 or greater than 45 years
- Depression (patient admits to depression or decreased concentration, sleep, appetite and/or libido
- Previous suicide attempt or psychiatric care
- Excessive alcohol or drug use
- Rational thinking loss: psychosis, organic brain syndrome
- Separated, divorced, or widowed
- Organized plan or serious attempt
- No social support
- Sickness, chronic disease
A score of one or two points indicates low risk, three to five points indicates moderate risk, and seven to 10 signals high risk.
Dr. Miller said that the cumulative score can tell the triage nurse whether the patient "is just someone who can just go into the waiting room, as most patients do, or is going to need a sitter or security, and how soon is going to need a psychiatric consultation."
Before the hospital implemented the SAD PERSONS, emergency department nurses were tested on their suicide risk assessment skills and knowledge of risk factors, as well as what they should do when a patient is identified as a high suicide risk,
