A new study has discovered that individuals who have suffered from serious infections that require hospitalization have a higher suicide rate than those who haven’t.

According to researchers, these findings imply that it’s crucial for clinicians to keep track of the psychological condition of patients who have recently received medical care for severe infections.

The Study and Its Findings

Prior to this study, it was already established that serious infections could affect the human psyche. However, the impact of severe infections on a patient’s mental health after hospitalization has remained largely unknown.

The study took a closer look at the connection between severe infections and suicide rates.

The data was obtained from the Danish health registry, where researchers extracted data regarding nearly 7 million individuals spanning over 30 years (1980-2011).

During that period, more than 500,000 of those individuals received hospital care for severe infections.

The researchers’ focus was to assess the suicide rates in the months leading up to or following hospitalization due to severe infections.

The findings indicate that there were more suicides among patients who’ve been hospitalized due to severe infections in comparison to those who haven’t. More so, patients who’ve been admitted for systemic infections like septicemia had the highest suicide rates.

The Need for More Mental Check-ups After Hospitalization

Generally, infections require immediate treatment and are usually prioritized over non-life-threatening chronic illnesses.

However, this focus on the immediate physical threat can cause medical professionals to overlook the psychological impact that hospitalization could have on a patient.

That’s why it’s so important for clinicians to keep track of their patient’s mental health, even after the infection has been treated.

Although it’s unclear why the connection between severe infections and a higher suicide rate exists, medical professionals should use this data to better understand how infections affect the human psyche and how to better support patients suffering from the psychological impacts of hospitalization.

Identifying and Addressing Depression in Patients After Hospitalization

Depression is a key factor when it comes to a higher suicide rate after hospitalization for severe infections.

It’s important to note that even patients who don’t have a history of depression could suffer from the condition after a prolonged hospital stay.

That’s why it’s crucial for clinicians to identify the signs of depression before they evolve into suicidal thoughts.

Evaluating a patient’s psychological status, particularly after a hospitalization, could be one of the best ways to identify depression early on. Those who exhibit symptoms of depression should receive prompt psychological care to mitigate the risk of suicide.

Preparing Patients for Potential Psychological Impacts of Hospitalization

One way clinicians can help patients cope after being hospitalized for serious infections is to prepare them for the psychological impact hospital stays can have.

This prepares them emotionally for any potential symptoms of depression that might arise after hospitalization.

It’s crucial for medical professionals to communicate the psychological risks that come with hospitalization, even if they might not be as severe as the physical threats.

This way, patients know what to expect and can approach potential psychological hurdles with more ease and preparedness.

Patient’s emotional support can play a critical role in recovery after a hospitalization. Having friends and family around can positively impact a patient’s mental and emotional state.

One way medical professionals can promote social support is by allowing close friends and family to visit and offer the necessary emotional support.

Having a support system can provide a patient with enough mental and emotional stability needed to recover fully.

The Need for Further Research

This study has provided us with invaluable insight into the psychological impacts of hospitalization for severe infections. However, the study is limited to Danish data.

To have a more inclusive dataset, similar studies should be carried out using data from different populations worldwide. Additionally, more research is needed to zero in on reasons why some patients suffer more psychological trauma after severe infections than others.

Conclusion

Until now, the psychological impact of hospitalization due to serious infections was relatively unexplored.

This study has highlighted a concerning trend in that individuals who’ve been hospitalized due to severe infections have a higher suicide rate than those who haven’t. This means that more attention needs to be paid to the psychological impact a patient goes through after being hospitalized for serious infections.

Clinicians should work to identify depression early on and take prompt action to prevent it from evolving into suicidal thoughts. Furthermore, preparing patients for potential psychological impacts and encouraging social support could go a long way in helping these individuals recover fully and cope with the psychological impacts of hospitalization.