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Suicide attempts and suicide deaths subsequent to discharge from the emergency department or psychiatry inpatient unit

This is a comprehensive report offering recommendations for the ongoing care of patients at risk for suicide who have been treated in emergency departments and hospitals. Based on an encyclopedic review and analysis of existing research, the 150-page report was authored by David Knesper, M.D., Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, and is the first review of continuity of care as a means to prevent suicide. The report includes ten principles for improved continuity of care, and provides real-world examples of seven integrated systems of care in the U.S. and Europe. Other key recommendations for practice and research address: targeting high-risk individuals; improving education and training for suicide risk assessment; responding to patients who have become disengaged from treatment; coordinating care; and improving infrastructure to provide continuity of care.

A four-color poster that provides Emergency Department practitioners with information on recognizing and responding to acute suicide risk. It is designed to be posted in staff-only areas. The poster features the most common and noticeable warning signs of acute risk for suicide as well as simple questions clinical staff can ask to uncover suicide risk when warning signs are noticed or suspected. The poster, resource guide (http://www.sprc.org/library_resources/items/suicide-risk-guide-evaluation-and-triage) and accompanying information insert (http://www.sprc.org/library_resources/items/using-your-patient-suicidal-poster-and-triage-guide) can be ordered from the Emergency Nurses Association through the ENA Marketplace (https://admin.ena.org/store/). "The "Is Your Patient Suicidal?" Emergency Department Poster and Clinical Guide has been included in Section III of the AFSP/SPRC Best Practices Registry (BPR). To learn more about Section III, Adherence to Standards, and link to a profile of the poster and clinical guide, visit http://www.sprc.org/bpr/section-III/your-patient-suicidal-emergency-department-poster-and-clinical-guide

This document serves as a resource guide, using the B-SAFE protocol as a centerpiece to facilitate implementation of the Joint Commission patient safety goal on suicide.

A short companion piece for Emergency Department staff that includes all the information on the "Is your patient suicidal?" poster as well as additional advice on gathering a history on, evaluating, triaging, and intervening with people at high, moderate, or low risk for suicide. The guide includes a discharge planning checklist to help suicidal patients stay safe after they leave the ED, and find the support and resources they need. The resource guide, poster (http://www.sprc.org/library_resources/items/your-patient-suicidal), and accompanying information insert (http://www.sprc.org/library_resources/items/using-your-patient-suicidal-poster-and-triage-guide ) can be ordered from the Emergency Nurses Association through the ENA Marketplace (https://admin.ena.org/store/).

A brief set of instructions for emergency department staff who are displaying the poster and referencing the resource guide. The poster (http://www.sprc.org/library_resources/items/your-patient-suicidal), resource guide (http://www.sprc.org/library_resources/items/suicide-risk-guide-evaluation-and-triage) and information insert can be ordered from the Emergency Nurses Association through the ENA Marketplace (https://admin.ena.org/store/).