Suicidal behavior in the emergency room part 1: assessment of risk.

Emergency physicians have a significant responsibility in the recognition, management and prevention of suicide behavior. A comprehensive clinical assessment should include a systematic review of high risk factors. Five important aspects associated with high risk factors are reviewed in this paper: the patient's suicidal intention; the lethality of the attempt; psychiatric diagnosis; demographic and clinical characteristics, and attitudes toward the suicidal attempt, significant others and health care providers.