Original Articles
Current Status of Providing Care to Suicidal Patients who among Emergency Nurses
2017 Volume 37 Pages 55-64
Details
2017 Volume 37 Pages 55-64
Aim: The present study aimed to clarify the current status of emergency nurses who provide care to suicidal patients who might have suicidal ideation.
Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was distributed to 764 nurses in 32 emergency departments across Japan.
Results: Responses from 302 (39.5%) nurses were valid. Among them, 206 (68.2%) reported an experience that confirmed suicidal ideation among patients. Responses to the open-ended questions were obtained from 197 nurses. These responses underwent qualitative descriptive analysis and categories were extracted. The categories, “Lack of ability/knowledge about how to care for suicidal patients”, “Worry and concern about repeated suicide attempts and self-harm”, “Confirming that the environment is difficult” and, “Physical and mental problems of patients”, were associated with hindrances or barriers to confirming the presence of suicidal ideation among patients.
Conclusion: Three strategies were identified to help emergency nurses effectively care for patients who self-harm: improving their knowledge, adjusting the care environment and enhancing support systems for nurses.
