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Volume 11 - February 2013

Contents

Page 4 of 5

Back Cover (IBC, OBC) and matter

  • PAX volume 11 issue 1 Cover and Back matter

  • Published online by Cambridge University Press:
    29 January 2013, pp. b1-b4
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Case Report

  • A retrospective case series of suicide attempts leading to hospice admission

  • Nathan Fairman, Scott A. Irwin
  • Published online by Cambridge University Press:
    04 July 2013, pp. 273-276
  • Objective:

    This investigation sought to systematically identify and characterize a cohort of patients treated in hospice for life-limiting injuries sustained in a suicide attempt that was not immediately lethal.

    Method:

    We developed a case series of all completed suicides in a large, community-based hospice, from 2004 through 2010. Clinical documentation and county medical examiner reports were used to identify those deaths that resulted from a suicide attempt made prior to hospice admission. Cases were characterized in terms of basic demographic variables, the temporal sequence of events in the transition from hospital care to hospice, the mechanism of injury and medical complications, the presence of mental illness, and family involvement in decision making.

    Results:

    Out of a total of 20,887 hospice deaths during the study period, 8 deaths resulted from an incomplete suicide attempt made prior to hospice admission. Subjects were nearly all male (6/8), and 46 years old on average; substantially younger than the general hospice population. Drug overdose was the most common method of suicide (5/8), and irreversible anoxic brain injury was the main medical complication. The majority of subjects (6/8) had evidence of serious mental illness. Most cases were complicated by estranged family relationships; however, family members were involved in end-of-life decision making for nearly all patients.

    Significance of results:

    Whereas a failed suicide attempt leading to hospice appears to be a relatively rare event, patients in this population appear unique in several regards. Further study may serve to better characterize this group and prepare hospice agencies and clinicians for caring for this unique population.

Essay/Personal Reflections

Poetry/Fiction

Front Cover (OFC, IFC) and matter

  • PAX volume 11 issue 6 Cover and Front matter

  • Published online by Cambridge University Press:
    21 November 2013, pp. f1-f2
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Poetry/Fiction: Poem

Back Cover (IBC, OBC) and matter

  • PAX volume 11 issue 6 Cover and Back matter

  • Published online by Cambridge University Press:
    21 November 2013, pp. b1-b2
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Poetry/Fiction

Poetry/Fiction: Poems

Essays/Personal Reflections

Erratum

Poetry/Fiction

Front Cover (OFC, IFC) and matter

  • PAX volume 11 issue 2 Cover and Front matter

  • Published online by Cambridge University Press:
    16 April 2013, pp. f1-f2
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  • PAX volume 11 issue 5 Cover and Front matter

  • Published online by Cambridge University Press:
    11 October 2013, pp. f1-f2
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Poetry/Fiction

Front Cover (OFC, IFC) and matter

  • PAX volume 11 issue 4 Cover and Front matter

  • Published online by Cambridge University Press:
    16 August 2013, pp. f1-f2
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Back Cover (IBC, OBC) and matter

  • PAX volume 11 issue 2 Cover and Back matter

  • Published online by Cambridge University Press:
    16 April 2013, pp. b1-b2
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  • PAX volume 11 issue 4 Cover and Back matter

  • Published online by Cambridge University Press:
    16 August 2013, p. b1
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Page 4 of 5