Joint Commission Releases Action Alert For Suicide Prevention

A new Joint Commission alert outlines the actions healthcare providers in all settings can take to better detect and treat those at risk of suicide. The accreditor recommends that healthcare providers take the following actions to detect those contemplating suicide: review each patient's personal and family medical history for suicide risk factors; screen all patients by using a brief, standardized evidence-based screening tool that includes a question about any thoughts of suicide; and review screening questionnaires before the patient leaves and use secondary screeners for those who give a positive response. Researchers have concluded that hospitals need to . . .