Evaluating the prevalence of four recommended practices for suicide prevention following hospital discharge.
Preventing suicide among patients who express suicidal ideation or are identified at risk of suicide during care is a Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goal. This study surveyed Joint Commission-accredited hospitals regarding their implementation of four recommended discharge practices for suicide prevention: formal safety planning, lethal-means safety planning, warm handoffs to outpatient care, and follow-up with patients after discharge. Most of the responding hospitals had implemented some of the recommended suicide prevention strategies, and 4% had implemented all four components.