Year: 2009 Source: Annali dell'Istituto Superiore di Sanita, v.45, no.2, (2009), p.205-212 SIEC No: 20090523

This study describes sentinel events reported to the Italian Ministry of Welfare in the first 18 months of activity. 123 reports were received, suicide being the most reported event. The analysis of the causes & contributing factors has highlighted the lack of application, & sometimes the total absence of appropriate procedures & guidelines which would allow the identification of possible actions to be taken to counteract the recurrence of serious events. Given the importance of suicide in public health policies & the need for preventive activity on this issue, recommendations for the prevention of suicide in hospitals have been drafted. (30 refs.)