Computer-Based Suicide Risk-Assessment Tool As Accurate As In-Person Psychiatric Assessment

Scores on a model tablet-based suicide risk assessment tool tested with consumers in emergency departments aligned with the level of suicide risk determined by a psychiatrist during an in-person assessment of the same consumer. The tablet assessment scores for minimal, low, moderate, or high suicide risk over the next 72 hours predicted the psychiatrists' assessment at 94% accuracy. The intervention level—routine, specialized, highly specialized, or secure— recommended by the tablet assessment matched the intervention level recommended by the psychiatrist 91% of the time.

These findings were reported in “Suicide Risk Assessment in Hospitals: An Expert System-Based . . .