The nurses were tested again after the computerized risk-assessment tool was put in place. The authors found that their knowledge of suicide risk factors and how to use the information provided by the screening tool improved significantly.
"The idea is that someone without a whole lot of psychiatric sophistication can use it and have an idea of where to direct the patient so they can have a more thorough evaluation," Dr, Miller said.
| The study was internally funded, and the authors had no conflicts of interest. |
Primary source: American Psychiatric Association 2007 Annual Meeting
Source reference: Miller BP and Giordano R. "Creating a Suicide Risk Assessment Tool for use in the Emergency Department." Abstract NR391, presented May 21.
