Replacing No-Suicide Contracts with Individualized Safety Assessments and Safety Plans in the Psychiatric Inpatient Setting

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Identifier 2018_Taylor
Title Replacing No-Suicide Contracts with Individualized Safety Assessments and Safety Plans in the Psychiatric Inpatient Setting
Creator Taylor, Stephen
Subject Advanced Practice Nursing; Education, Nursing, Graduate; Veterans; Suicide; Preventive Health Services; Risk Reduction Behavior; Psychiatric Department, Hospital; Inpatients; Patient Safety; Patient Education as Topic; Harm Reduction; Informed Consent; Self Efficacy; Patient Outcome Assessment; Medical Records Systems, Computerized; Psychosocial Intervention; Quality Improvement
Description Background: Verbal or written no-suicide contracting is a common nursing practice in psychiatric inpatient settings, and remains common place in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) inpatient psychiatric units. There is well supported evidence indicating that such contracts are oftentimes afforded clinical validity despite an absence of evidence attesting to their efficacy and validity as an effective tool in preventing suicides. More recent evidence supports the use of individualized safety plans and assessments as an effective alternative in working with suicidal patients. Methods: A quality improvement initiative was implemented that provided education to inpatient mental health providers regarding the current use of no-suicide contracts. Additional education was also provided regarding the efficacy of individualized safety plans and assessments as a more effective alternative in enhancing suicide prevention. Intervention: An educational intervention utilizing a Power Point presentation, was delivered to mental health care staff and providers to show evidence behind replacing no-suicide contracts with individualized safety plans and assessments. A comprehensive chart review was implemented to identify the current extent of utilization of no-suicide contracts, and a template was developed to replace no-suicide contracts in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) at the VA upon institutional approval.
Relation is Part of Graduate Nursing Project, Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP
Publisher Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library, University of Utah
Date 2018
Type Text
Rights
Holding Institution Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library, University of Utah
Language eng
ARK ark:/87278/s67m4fpr
Setname ehsl_gradnu
ID 1367259
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s67m4fpr
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