Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-1-2004

Journal

Suicide & life-threatening behavior

Volume

34

Issue

4

Inclusive Pages

448-53

DOI

10.1521/suli.34.4.448.53740

Keywords

Environment; Hospitalization; Humans; Mental Disorders; Psychiatric Department, Hospital; Risk Factors; Suicide

Abstract

Suicide of hospitalized patients is the most common sentinel event reviewed by The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Shorter lengths of stay, sicker patients, and higher patient to staff ratios challenge the ability of the hospital to maintain safety. Risk factors associated with the physical environment of the inpatient psychiatric unit, cited as the most common root cause of inpatient suicide, may be neglected because evaluation of these factors is generally not included in medical education and training. Minimization of fixtures that can facilitate strangulation and other high risk aspects within the hospital environment is an important element in the prevention of suicide on psychiatric units.

Peer Reviewed

1

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