Background: Psychiatric patients have a higher suicide risk following hospital discharge.
Aims: To identify social, clinical and health-care delivery factors in recently discharged patients.
Method: Retrospective case-control study of 234 patients who died within 1 year of hospital discharge, matched for age, gender, diagnosis and admission period with 431 controls. Odds ratios for identified risk factors were calculated using conditional multiple logistic regression.
Results: Independent increased-risk factors were: not being White; living alone; history of deliberate self-harm (DSH); suicidal ideation precipitating admission; hopelessness; admission under different consultant; onset of relationship difficulties; loss of job; in-patient DSH; unplanned discharge; significant care professional leaving/on leave. Reduced-risk factors were: shared accommodation; delusions at admission; misuse of non-prescribed substances; and continuity of contact.
Conclusions: Continuity of contact may reduce suicide risk. Discontinuity of care from a significant professional is associated with increased risk of suicide.