Measured Response to Identified Suicide Risk and Violence: What You Need to Know About Psychiatric Patient Safety

Abstract

Within inpatient psychiatric settings exists evidence of a significant risk of violent incidents and incidents of deliberate self-harm. One of the most hidden and preventable mental health problems is the fact that approximately 1,500 suicides take place annually in inpatient hospital facilities throughout the United States. This article focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of risk and suicide assessment procedures while attempting to answer the following questions: What degree of risk currently exists on inpatient psychiatric facilities for harm to self and others? What can be done within the physical environment to protect the psychiatric patient? We discuss a combined risk and quality proactive approach to risk reduction through a safety equation integrating patient assessment, physical environment, program safety, and patient component to formalize a systems approach to the at-risk patient. [Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention 5:121-141 (2005)]

Patient safety in psychiatric inpatient care: a literature review

“…Psychiatric research has shown that leadership comprises three primary areas: experience, availability and understanding the patient safety plan. It is the willingness to examine the reasoning behind rule development in advocacy of the patient and to see the environment as interactive part of the patient care (Yeager et al . 2005).…”

“…The patient mix of each unit is also connected to patient safety (O'Brien & Cole 2003). Providing a mixture of diagnosis and levels of acuity in units can distribute the workload and enhance patient safety (Yeager et al . 2005).…”

“…2005, Steward et al . 2009) and be available for patients and their family members (Yeager et al . 2005).…”

Rapid Resolution of Suicidal Ideation After a Single Infusion of anN-Methyl-D-Aspartate Antagonist in Patients With Treatment-Resistant Major Depressive Disorder

“…The risk of suicide attempts occurring in inpatient units is also a major concern and is the second most common sentinel event—defined as an unexpected occurrence involving death or serious physical or psychological injury, or the risk thereof—reported to the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) 6. Approximately 1,500 suicides occur in inpatient hospital units in the US each year, and a staggering one-third of these take place while the patient is on 15-minute checks 7, 8. The JCAHO emphasized the need for around-the-clock observation for inpatients at high risk for suicide.…”

Revisiting “Suicide Proofing” an Inpatient Unit Through Environmental Safeguards: A Review

“…Recent studies further expand on ways to decrease suicides through the limitation of access to means (Lieberman, Resnik, & Holder‐Perkins, 2004; Sullivan et al., 2005; Yeager et al., 2005). Yeager and colleagues, who published one of the most comprehensive articles on environmental safeguards, point out that 62–75% of inpatient suicides were due to either hanging or jumping from high places; therefore, this emphasizes the importance of setting both competent suicide assessments and systematic safety protocols as a priority.…”