2.20 Use of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) With Adolescent Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic at University of Kentucky Healthcare

ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to: 1) examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescent Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) scores, psychiatric inpatient admission rates, and the reason for presentation; 2) determine if there is a significant relationship between scores on the C-SSRS, inpatient psychiatric admissions, and the reason for presentation; and 3) expand on the previous study reviewing compliance with the C-SSRS protocol for all adolescent patients at University of Kentucky (UK) HealthCare from September 2019 to February 2021.MethodsA total of 8210 adolescents (ages 12 to 17 years) who had patient encounters to UK emergency departments (EDs) were analyzed through a retrospective chart review between September 2019 and February 2021. The data was divided into 6-month time periods: September 2019 to February 2020 (pre–COVID-19), March 2020 to August 2020 (first 6 months of COVID-19), and September 2020 to February 2021 (second 6 months of COVID-19).ResultsThe number of admissions for suicide attempts (SAs) saw an increase from pre–COVID-19 (3.38%) to the first 6 months of COVID-19 (5.24%). Admissions for suicidal ideation (SI) initially decreased during the first 6 months of COVID-19 (6.39% pre–COVID-19, 5.59% first 6 months of COVID-19), then increased above pre–COVID-19 levels during the second 6 months (6.86%). The number of ED visits decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic (pre–COVID-19 = 3428; first 6 months of COVID-19 = 2290; second 6 months of COVID-19 = 2492), while the percentage of psychiatric admissions increased (pre–COVID-19 = 7.06%; first 6 months of COVID-19 = 9.91%; second 6 months of COVID-19 = 9.51%). There was a significant relationship between the reason for admission and C-SSRS scores (χ2 = 2776; p < .001). There was a significant relationship between C-SSRS score and disposition (χ2 = 2211; p < .001).ConclusionsThe number of suicide attempts in adolescent patients at UK HealthCare increased during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, there was an overall increase in the percentage of ED visits resulting in psychiatric admission at UK HealthCare during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those with high scores on the C-SSRS were more likely to have a psychiatric admission and were more likely to have presented with SI or SA. C-SSRS completion compliance at UK HealthCare initially decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, over time, the compliance rate improved to higher than pre–COVID-19 levels.S, RCR, ICP ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to: 1) examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescent Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) scores, psychiatric inpatient admission rates, and the reason for presentation; 2) determine if there is a significant relationship between scores on the C-SSRS, inpatient psychiatric admissions, and the reason for presentation; and 3) expand on the previous study reviewing compliance with the C-SSRS protocol for all adolescent patients at University of Kentucky (UK) HealthCare from September 2019 to February 2021. The objectives of this study were to: 1) examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescent Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) scores, psychiatric inpatient admission rates, and the reason for presentation; 2) determine if there is a significant relationship between scores on the C-SSRS, inpatient psychiatric admissions, and the reason for presentation; and 3) expand on the previous study reviewing compliance with the C-SSRS protocol for all adolescent patients at University of Kentucky (UK) HealthCare from September 2019 to February 2021. MethodsA total of 8210 adolescents (ages 12 to 17 years) who had patient encounters to UK emergency departments (EDs) were analyzed through a retrospective chart review between September 2019 and February 2021. The data was divided into 6-month time periods: September 2019 to February 2020 (pre–COVID-19), March 2020 to August 2020 (first 6 months of COVID-19), and September 2020 to February 2021 (second 6 months of COVID-19). A total of 8210 adolescents (ages 12 to 17 years) who had patient encounters to UK emergency departments (EDs) were analyzed through a retrospective chart review between September 2019 and February 2021. The data was divided into 6-month time periods: September 2019 to February 2020 (pre–COVID-19), March 2020 to August 2020 (first 6 months of COVID-19), and September 2020 to February 2021 (second 6 months of COVID-19). ResultsThe number of admissions for suicide attempts (SAs) saw an increase from pre–COVID-19 (3.38%) to the first 6 months of COVID-19 (5.24%). Admissions for suicidal ideation (SI) initially decreased during the first 6 months of COVID-19 (6.39% pre–COVID-19, 5.59% first 6 months of COVID-19), then increased above pre–COVID-19 levels during the second 6 months (6.86%). The number of ED visits decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic (pre–COVID-19 = 3428; first 6 months of COVID-19 = 2290; second 6 months of COVID-19 = 2492), while the percentage of psychiatric admissions increased (pre–COVID-19 = 7.06%; first 6 months of COVID-19 = 9.91%; second 6 months of COVID-19 = 9.51%). There was a significant relationship between the reason for admission and C-SSRS scores (χ2 = 2776; p < .001). There was a significant relationship between C-SSRS score and disposition (χ2 = 2211; p < .001). The number of admissions for suicide attempts (SAs) saw an increase from pre–COVID-19 (3.38%) to the first 6 months of COVID-19 (5.24%). Admissions for suicidal ideation (SI) initially decreased during the first 6 months of COVID-19 (6.39% pre–COVID-19, 5.59% first 6 months of COVID-19), then increased above pre–COVID-19 levels during the second 6 months (6.86%). The number of ED visits decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic (pre–COVID-19 = 3428; first 6 months of COVID-19 = 2290; second 6 months of COVID-19 = 2492), while the percentage of psychiatric admissions increased (pre–COVID-19 = 7.06%; first 6 months of COVID-19 = 9.91%; second 6 months of COVID-19 = 9.51%). There was a significant relationship between the reason for admission and C-SSRS scores (χ2 = 2776; p < .001). There was a significant relationship between C-SSRS score and disposition (χ2 = 2211; p < .001). ConclusionsThe number of suicide attempts in adolescent patients at UK HealthCare increased during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, there was an overall increase in the percentage of ED visits resulting in psychiatric admission at UK HealthCare during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those with high scores on the C-SSRS were more likely to have a psychiatric admission and were more likely to have presented with SI or SA. C-SSRS completion compliance at UK HealthCare initially decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, over time, the compliance rate improved to higher than pre–COVID-19 levels.S, RCR, ICP The number of suicide attempts in adolescent patients at UK HealthCare increased during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, there was an overall increase in the percentage of ED visits resulting in psychiatric admission at UK HealthCare during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those with high scores on the C-SSRS were more likely to have a psychiatric admission and were more likely to have presented with SI or SA. C-SSRS completion compliance at UK HealthCare initially decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, over time, the compliance rate improved to higher than pre–COVID-19 levels.