Objective: To compare Emergency Department (ED) care of suicidal patients with and without documented acute alcohol use. Methods: Retrospective chart review of randomly sampled patient visits (n=800; January 2014 to December 2015) at an urban ED with universal screening for suicide risk. Eligible visits were by adults (18+ years) who screened positive for suicide risk at the ED visit (i.e., suicidal ideation in past two weeks or suicide attempt in past six months). Analyses compared those with and without documentation of acute alcohol use. Results: Among these patients with suicide risk, 19% had documented acute alcohol use (versus 43% with no use and 38% without documentation); individuals with acute alcohol use were more often male and aged 35-59 years. Overall, 62% were evaluated by a mental health professional in the ED. Individuals with acute alcohol use were significantly less likely (vs those without use) to be evaluated by a mental health professional in the ED (odds ratio 0.49, 95%CI 0.28-0.87) after

Statement of purposeTo identify care differences between those with and without alcohol intoxication among emergency department (ED) patients who screened positive for suicide risk.MethodsThis was a retrospective, observational study of electronic medical records at an urban ED with universal suicide risk screening. Eligible patients had screened positive (‘active suicide ideation’ or ‘suicide attempt within past 6 months’) between January 2014 and December 2015. We reviewed a random sample of charts from three a priori age groups (18–34 years, n=300; 35–59 years, n=300; and 60+years, n=200) for demographic, medical, and visit characteristics. The primary outcomes were evaluation by a mental health professional, provision of resources, and ED disposition.ResultsSuicidal individuals who were intoxicated (blood alcohol level >0 or other intoxication documentation) were more often males aged 35–59 years. Intoxicated, suicidal individuals were less likely than those who were not intoxicated to see a mental health professional during the ED visit (72% vs 84%, p<0.0001), or be admitted/transferred to a psychiatric or substance abuse facility (21% vs 30%, p-value<0.0001). Intoxicated individuals were more likely to be discharged home (68% vs 59%, p-value<0.0001) and receive referral resources (63% to 56%, p<0.0001).ConclusionThere were discrepancies in ED care between intoxicated and non-intoxicated patients. This may relate to patients who express suicidality while intoxicated and recant once sober, leading to a less thorough evaluation. It may also reflect difficulty engaging patients in mental health care while intoxicated.SignificanceAlcohol intoxication is a risk factor for suicide, yet it can complicate risk assessment by impairing patients’ judgement and thinking. While guidelines recommend suicidal ED patients receive a comprehensive risk assessment, this may not always occur. ED providers may need additional education or guidelines to enhance best practice for these cases.