ED recommendations for suicide prevention in adults: The ICAR2E mnemonic and a systematic review of the literature

Introduction Caring for suicidal patients can be challenging, especially in emergency departments without easy access to mental health specialists. The American College of Emergency Physicians and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention appointed a working group to create an easy-to-use suicide prevention tool for ED providers. Methods The writing group created an easy-to-use mnemonic for the care of adult patients as a way of organizing sequential steps, accompanied by a systematic review of available ED-based suicide prevention literature. The systematic review was performed both to ensure that all relevant evidence was taken into account as well as to evaluate the strength of evidence for each recommendation. Levels of evidence were assigned utilizing the ACEP level of evidence classification. Results The writing group created the mnemonic ICAR2E, which stands for I dentify suicide risk; C ommunicate; A ssess for life threats and ensure safety; R isk assessment (of suicide); R educe the risk (of suicide); and E xtend care beyond the ED. 31 articles were identified in the search, and were included in the systematic review. Conclusions The ICAR2E mnemonic may be a feasible way for practicing ED clinicians to provide evidence-based care to suicidal patients. However, further research is needed.