Abstract

Background: The effect of safety planning for patients discharged from the emergency department (ED) with suicidal risk is not yet determined but using safety plans to mitigate suicidal behavior is regarded as best practice.

Importance: ED patients do not consistently follow up with recommended outpatient mental health treatment. However, brief ED interventions, including individualized suicide safety plans, can reduce suicide risk and improve patient safety after ED discharge.

Aims: The project aimed to improve the safety of positively identified suicidal risk patients in the ED of a regional medical center in the Upper Midwest with brief ED interventions to reduce suicide risk.

Method: Based upon a positively identified suicide risk using the Colombia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), the Stanley and Brown Suicide Safety Template was utilized to develop safety plans for patients with suicidal risk. A Likert survey then measured the effectiveness of suicide safety plans constructed by staff and patient participants.

Conclusion: Results showed that promoting better suicide-related care processes improved suicide prevention. The Stanley and Brown Suicide Safety Template was identified as a best practice by the project's clinical site for suicide prevention and is both feasible and helpful from patient and nurse perspectives.

Amber Larson

Author Details

Amber Larson, DNP, BSN, RN, PHN

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Type

DNP Capstone Project

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Quality Improvement

Research Approach

Qualitative Research

Keywords:

Suicidal Ideation, Emergency Departments, Patient Safety, Behavioral Health, Suicide Safety Plans

Advisor

Pamela Bjorklund

Degree

DNP

Degree Grantor

The College of St. Scholastica

Degree Year

2022

Rights Holder

All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.

All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository.

All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

None: Degree-based Submission

Acquisition

Self-submission

Date of Issue

2022-05-02

Full Text of Presentation

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