In honor of the launch of the HelpPRO Suicide Prevention Therapist Finder (see Press Release) we bring you this five part series of clinical tips with the most up to date research and thinking on suicide prevention.
Paul Quinnett, PhD, President and CEO, The QPR Institute, Inc, says 22 veterans will take their own lives today. So will someone's daughter, a brother, a co-worker, and far too many working men and grandfathers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in just one day, more then 105 of our fellow Americans will die by suicide. Perhaps this clinical tip will save just one.
Clinical Tip #2 -- Documenting Reasons to NOT Hospitalize
When deciding not to hospitalize a patient at risk for suicide, it is important that the clinician conduct a risk-benefit analysis. The reasons for hospitalization may include the relative assurance of a safer, more controlled environment, a beneficial milieu, multidisciplinary staff evaluation, initiation of stabilizing medications, etc. The reasons not to hospitalize a suicidal person might include potential loss of self-esteem, stigmatization, risk of losing a job, fostering unwanted dependency, failure to benefit from prior hospitalizations, etc. When confronted with a possible hospitalization, the patient may also express a willingness to participate in outpatient treatment and adhere to a medication regimen.
Whatever your reasons to not hospitalize a consumer who has expressed suicidal ideations, prior plans or suicide attempts, it is strongly recommended that the primary care provider seek consultation and/or supervision regarding the decision and to carefully document the reasons for this decision. In a world of increasing litigation for suicide malpractice, and if a bad outcome is experienced, an uniformed jury will need to be convinced that 1) you thought the problem through, 2) you weighed the risks and benefits carefully with the patient and his or her family, and 3) you took a reasonable and prudent course of action.
The QPR Institute (www.QPRinstitute.com) provides Online Advanced Suicide Prevention Courses for a wide range of professionals including: Mental health professionals, school counselors, crisis line workers, substance abuse professionals, EMS/firefighters, law enforcement, primary care providers, nurses and correctional workers.
For more information please visit our full library of advanced courses!
Paul Quinnett, PhD., Founder & CEO QPR Institute, www.QPRinstitute.com