Suicide Risk Reduction Resource Center

NPSG.15.01.01 Reduce the risk for suicide.

Note: EPs 2–7 apply to patients in psychiatric hospitals or patients being evaluated or treated for behavioral health conditions as their primary reason for care. In addition, EPs 3–7 apply to all patients who express suicidal ideation during the course of care.

EP 1

For psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric units in general hospitals: The hospital conducts an environmental risk assessment that identifies features in the physical environment that could be used to attempt suicide; the hospital takes necessary action to minimize the risk(s) (for example, removal of anchor points, door hinges, and hooks that can be used for hanging).

For nonpsychiatric units in general hospitals: The organization implements procedures to mitigate the risk of suicide for patients at high risk for suicide, such as one-to-one monitoring, removing objects that pose a risk for self-harm if they can be removed without adversely affecting the patient’s medical care, assessing objects brought into a room by visitors, and using safe transportation procedures when moving patients to other parts of the hospital.

Note: Nonpsychiatric units in general hospitals do not need to be ligature resistant. Nevertheless, these facilities should routinely assess clinical areas to identify objects that could be used for self-harm and remove those objects, when possible, from the area around a patient who has been identified as high risk for suicide. This information can be used for training staff who monitor high-risk patients (for example, developing checklists to help staff remember which equipment should be removed when possible).

EP 2

Screen all patients for suicidal ideation who are being evaluated or treated for behavioral health conditions as their primary reason for care using a validated screening tool.

Note: The Joint Commission requires screening for suicidal ideation using a validated tool starting at age 12 and above.

EP 3

Use an evidence-based process to conduct a suicide assessment of patients who have screened positive for suicidal ideation. The assessment directly asks about suicidal ideation, plan, intent, suicidal or self-harm behaviors, risk factors, and protective factors.

Note: EPs 2 and 3 can be satisfied through the use of a single process or instrument that simultaneously screens patients for suicidal ideation and assesses the severity of suicidal ideation.

EP 4

Document patients’ overall level of risk for suicide and the plan to mitigate the risk for suicide.

EP 5

Follow written policies and procedures addressing the care of patients identified as at risk for suicide. At a minimum, these should include the following:

• Training and competence assessment of staff who care for patients at risk for suicide
• Guidelines for reassessment
• Monitoring patients who are at high risk for suicide

EP 6

Follow written policies and procedures for counseling and follow-up care at discharge for patients identified as at risk for suicide.

EP 7

Monitor implementation and effectiveness of policies and procedures for screening, assessment, and management of patients at risk for suicide and take action as needed to improve compliance.

EP 1

The organization conducts an environmental risk assessment that identifies features in the physical environment that could be used to attempt suicide and takes necessary action to minimize the risk(s) (for example, removal of anchor points, door hinges, and hooks that can be used for hanging).

Note: Noninpatient behavioral health care and human services settings and unlocked inpatient units do not need to be ligature resistant. The expectation for these settings is to conduct a risk assessment to identify potential environmental hazards to individuals served, identify individuals who are at high risk for suicide, and take action to safeguard these individuals from the environmental risks (for example, continuous monitoring in a safe location while awaiting transfer to higher level of care and removing objects from the room that can be used for self-harm).

EP 2

Screen all individuals served for suicidal ideation using a validated screening tool.

Note: The Joint Commission requires screening for suicidal ideation using a validated tool starting at age 12 and above.

EP 3

Use an evidence-based process to conduct a suicide assessment of individuals served who have screened positive for suicidal ideation. The assessment directly asks about suicidal ideation, plan, intent, suicidal or self-harm behaviors, risk factors, and protective factors.

Note: EPs 2 and 3 can be satisfied through the use of a single process or instrument that simultaneously screens individuals served for suicidal ideation and assesses the severity of suicidal ideation.

EP 4

Document individuals' overall level of risk for suicide and the plan to mitigate the risk for suicide.

EP 5

Follow written policies and procedures addressing the care of patients identified as at risk for suicide. At a minimum, these should include the following:

• Training and competence assessment of staff who care for patients at risk for suicide
• Guidelines for reassessment
• Monitoring patients who are at high risk for suicide

EP 6

Follow written policies and procedures for counseling and follow-up care at discharge for individuals served identified as at risk for suicide.

EP 7

Monitor implementation and effectiveness of policies and procedures for screening, assessment, and management of individuals served at risk for suicide and take action as needed to improve compliance.