Resource Tag: STANDARDS OF CARE

The authors discuss the clinical challenges of distinguishing real from feigned signs of recovery. Whereas genuine clinical improvement is a process, sudden patient improvement is a suspect event. The atuhors discuss clinical indicators that distinguish the two. They emphasize the importance of gathering corroborating evidence through communications with staff & the patient’s family. Suicide risk […]

This study examined the problem of suicides & attempted suicides in small jails, finding that the prevalence of these incidents is 2-5 times greater than in larger jails. Net of other factors, jails that had higher rates of admissions, as well as overcrowded facilities had a positive relationship with suicide attempts. It was also found […]

The ethical basis of suicide prevention is illustrated by contrasting helpline emergency rescue policies of the Samaritans & the American Association of Suicidology and the United States National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network. The authors contrast moralist, relativist, & libertarian ethical premises & question whether suicide can be rational. Samaritans respect a caller’s right to decide […]

The purpose of this study was to generate an emergent theory of the process of counselor supervision for counselor trainees who work with suicidal clients. The intent was to explore the perspectives of 5 counselor supervisors. An assumption was that counselor supervisors’ views about the process of counselor supervision with counselor trainees for suicidal clients […]

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In the category of malpractice liability affecting mental health practitioners of all disciplines, malpractice based on suicide is the leading claim by a significant margin. The first part of the discussion in this paper considers the theory, practice, & psychology of malpractice litigation itself in relation to suicide. The second part describes how those basic […]

This study identified predictors of a high level of quality of care for suicide attempters at general hospital emergency departments in Norway. Structured interviews with key informants covering the quality of care of patients admitted following attempted suicide were conducted in 1999 & 2006 at 87% of all general hospitals. Hospitals having implemented a chain […]

This set of standards & guidelines was developed to support those who participate in & operate suicide bereavement support groups. The 4 major standards articulated are: support group & maintenance (goals, membership, structure, ethics, legal aspects, & marketing); support group philosophy & processes (philosophy on clients, service delivery, inclusiveness, group processes, understanding suicide bereavement, & […]

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The authors describe a framework of immediate, short-term & long-term responses in the event of an in-hospital suicide. Implications for administration, communication, assessment, physical environment, & standards of care throughout the hospital are discussed that are relevant to both general-medical & psychiatric settings. Suggestions for the successful management of the aftermath of a suicide, such […]

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This document outlines the Western Australian suicide prevention strategy; what it will do & how it will be implemented. Section 1 provides an overview of the strategy, its purpose & development. Section 2 presents international suicide data, suicide in Australia, & suicide in Western Australia. Section 3 gives a framework for prevention. Section 4 discusses […]

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This study examined the determinants of untreated depression in Canada’s Atlantic provinces. Logistic regression models explored the prevalence of depression & associated patterns of mental health service use among population subgroups. Of the 17,836 respondents, 7.3% experienced major depression in the previous year. Only 40% of respondents with probable depression reported any consultation about their […]

In this article, the author questions if anything is happening in terms of defining recommended competencies in suicide risk assessment for healthcare professionals, teaching these, & integrating them into university, graduate school, internship, & residency curricula. Among other questions, he also asks what the timeline is for recommended enhancements in practice standards.

In this letter to the editor, Hubbeling comments on a study by Huisman & colleagues (2009) on whether the feedback provided by the Dutch Health Care Inspectorate was in agreement with the American Psychiatric Association’s guidelines for the assessment & treatment of suicidal patients. Hubbeling questions the use of the American guidelines as a standard […]

In 2003, the American Psychiatric Association published practice guidelines for the assessment and management of patients with suicidal behaviours. This article provides an overview of the guidelines & some expert commentary.

This document serves as a resource guide, using the Suicide Assessment Five-Step Evaluation and Triage (SAFE-T) protocol to facilitate implementation of patient safety goals on suicide. The model involves identifying risk factors; identifying protective factors; asking about suicide thoughts, plans, behaviours, & intent; determining level of risk & choosing appropriate interventions; & documenting the assessment […]

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This editorial discusses the case of Dr. Daksha Emson, a junior psychiatrist who took her own life & that of her 3-month-old daughter. The role of occupational health services was severely criticized during an independent inquiry which raised several questions about the purpose & functioning of such services. (3 refs.)