SAD PERSONS score
Background
- Score intended to evaluate patients presenting with depression and/or suicidal ideation and determine need for admission
- However, while scale has good specificity (>90%), sensitivity is only 2%[1]
- Therefore, this score likely should not be utilized in the ED setting to make admission decisions.
Score
- Sex = male (1)
- Age <19 or >45 (1)
- Depressed symptoms (2)
- Past psych history (1)
- ETOH/drug use history (1)
- Rational thought loss (2)
- Separated/divorced/widowed (1)
- Organized/serious attempt (2)
- No social support (1)
- Stated intent (or ambivalence) (2)
- Assessment must be without ETOH/drugs on board (wait for person to sober)
Disposition
- By point total:
- <6: May discharge home if have someone to care for them, follow x 1 day, call follow up MD, and contract for saftey
- 6-8: 50% admission rate (consult psych)
- >8: Admit
See Also
References
- ↑ Saunders K, Brand F, Lascelles K, et al. The sad truth about the SADPERSONS Scale: an evaluation of its clinical utility in self-harm patients. Emerg Med J 2014;31:796-798.