Environmental Risk Reduction
Screening and Assessment for Suicidal Ideation
Potpourri
100

Plastic bags (lining trash cans, stored in trash cans, or used for storage) 

Sheets: those with elastic corners can be wrapped tightly around the neck Pillowcases and mattress covers.

What are the suffocation environmental safety considerations for at-risk patients provided in the Management of the Behavioral Health Patient in the Emergency Department Policy?

100

The steps required of the Admitting Registered Nurse (or designated Registered Nurse) upon identification of or the patient screened as a high risk for suicide, 1799 or 5150?

What are...

1. Notify the physician immediately.

2. Before the patient’s arrival or immediately upon identification through screening, the nurse will implement Patient Safety Precautions. 

3. Implement continuous observation.

3. Inform the patient that they are being placed in a safe environment based upon their initial assessment. Explain in terms the patient understands what to expect in the unit.

100

According to a study from The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, there are 30,000 of these per year in the United States and is estimated that 5 to 6 percent of those occur in hospitals.

What are suicides?

200

Disposed of the outside of the at-risk patient room after a meal per the Suicide Screening and Management policy.


What are used utensils?

200

Upon admission to the inpatient unit as part of the initial nursing assessment, the admitting RN performs this suicide risk screening according to the Suicide Screening and Management NCAL Regional Policy.

What is  the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) Q.1, Q.2, Q.6a. This C-SSRS risk screening tool is required upon admission for all patients ten years and older.

200

Direct 1:1 in line of sight.

What is continuous observation?

300

Secured outside of the patient's room, in locked cabinets or sent home per the Suicide Screening and Management Policy. 

What are patient's belongings, including medications, harmful objects, weapons, and/or specific item(s) that may have been used in the previous suicide attempt, (i.e. belt, knife, razor blade, bra underwire, etc.)?

300

This assessment is required for patients who screen positive for suicide risk.

What is a suicide risk assessment?

NPSG.15.01.01 EP 3 requires you to use an “evidence based process” for suicide risk assessment.

300

Suicide of any patient receiving care, treatment, and services in a staffed around-the clock care setting or within 72 hours of discharge, including from the hospital’s emergency department (ED).

What is a TJC sentinel event?

50000

We need to do this better.

What is ___________ ? 

[No wrong answer]

50000

This is what a surveyor would say about the quality of our screening and assessment documentation.

What is ______________? 

[No wrong answer]

50000

These are best practices we use consistently to ensure the safety of patients who are a danger to self or others, or who are gravely disabled. 

What is__________?

[no wrong answer]