The
safety and health of the client is paramount. The steps
that you take as a health care professional to ensure that
safety are the focus of this Web page. While research
articles, professional organizations, and clinical organizations
may have differences in their clinical guidelines for treating
a suicidal client, the fundamental and universal components
to treatment generally are:
A
thorough and comprehensive evaluation taking into consideration
risk factors for suicide (Reference 1)
The
key factors in treatment being the patient's suicide plan,
access to lethal means, social support and judgment
Determination
of appropriate level of care based on level of risk and
assessment of potential lethality (Reference 2)
Hospitalization
(inpatient treatment facility)
Partial
hospitalization (intensive outpatient)
Outpatient
Treatment
of client or referral of client to appropriate level of
care (Reference 2)
Low
to moderate level of risk (outpatient)
Moderate
to high level of risk (partial hospitalization)
High
level of risk (hospitalization; voluntary hospitalization
is preferred)
Thorough
documentation of evaluation, discussions with family, friends,
and/or professionals, reasons for treatment recommendations,
and treatment recommendations
Documentation
is essential due to ethical and legal protocol
Thorough
documentation helps ensure that the client's history
is properly documented so that future treatment needs
can be appropriately implemented
All
clients are unique and should be treated on an individual
basis. Therefore, while these general guidelines can
be helpful, the welfare and health of the client is most important
when making clinical decisions. If you ever have a
question as to what level of care is necessary for the client,
ask a colleague, supervisor, or other health care professional
for their clinical opinion.
Electronic,
print, and multimedia resources are provided to help you to
find additional authoritative information on Clinical guidance
for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. These resources are available
from such national organizations as The National Institute of
Mental Health as well as professional organizations, not-for-
profit organizations, and educational institutions.
Article
Bongar,
B., Maris, R. W., & Berman, A. L. (1993). Inpatient standards
of care and the suicidal patient. Suicide & Life-Threatening Behavior, 23 (3),
245-256.
Internet
National
Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC)
The
NGC is an U.S. government Web site. The NGC is an organization
sponsored by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
(formerly the U.S. Agency for Health Care Policy and Research)
in partnership with the American Medical Association and the
American Association of Health Plans.
The
NGC is a public resource for evidence-based clinical practice
guidelines and is available at the following Web address:
