Implementation of the Anemia Guidelines

A study of 100 patients who made a severe suicide attempt suggested that the managed care criteria often applied for approving admission to hospitals for potentially suicidal patients were not, in fact, predictive of features seen in patients who actually made such attempts. Severe anxiety, panic attacks, a depressed mood, a diagnosis of major affective disorder, recent loss of an interpersonal relationship, recent abuse of alcohol or illicit substances coupled with feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, worthlessness, global or partial insomnia, anhedonia, inability to maintain a job, and the recent onset of impulsive behavior were excellent predictors of suicidal behavior. The presence of a specific suicide plan or suicide note were not. Patients with managed care were overrepresented by 245% in the study.