STUDY OF DIED INPATIENTS IN OUR NEURO-PSYCHIATRIC WARD

• Published in: Japanese Journal of National Medical Services Vol. 47; no. 5; pp. 370 - 372
• Main Authors: TOMINAGA, Itaru, USAMI, Hiroko, HATTORI, Munekazu, SAKAMURA, Yuh, OHMINE, Shigeji, NONAKA, Hiroshi, NAKA, Miyoko, KAIHOU, Miwako
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japanese Society of National Medical Services 1993; 一般社団法人 国立医療学会
• Subjects: psychiatric inpatient; suicidal attempt; suicide; 精神科入院患者; 自殺; 自殺企図
• ISSN: 0021-1699; 1884-8729
• DOI: 10.11261/iryo1946.47.370

We studied the died inpatients from January 1977 to December 1991. Among 3364 discharged patients in this period, the number reached a total of 103 (3%). Neurologic patients amounted to 74 and psychiatric patients, 29. Regarding the direct causes of death, infection (22.3%) and cerebro-vascular disease (21.4%) were followed by suicide as well as neoplasm (10.7%). There were 5 male and 6 female suicides, 3 of them were schizophrenic, 5 of them, neurotic and the remaining 3 were diagnosed as depression. Six cases committed suicide within the site of hospital. Six cases took the method of hanging and others died from fall, intoxication and so on. Prodromal signs, such as attempts, were recognized in 7, but no causes were revealed in 4 cases. Seven cases committed suicide within 41 days after their admission. We conclude that much attention has to be paid if a patient develops suicidal prodromal signs, including attempts, soon after his admission.