Posted: August 22, 2003

Realistically, a clinician is not always able to prevent a suicide in a determined patient. However, Risk Management Foundation has developed guidelines with Harvard medical faculty over the past 10 years to assist primary care and mental health professionals in their decision-making. The documents address the process of identifying or managing at-risk patients in a hospital or outpatient setting, as well as collaboration issues among mental health and primary care clinicians.

Some common risk management themes identified by RMF include:

• lack of an ongoing, documented assessment of suicide risk, especially prior to hospital discharge, a change in privileges, or a change in clinical status,
• lack of documentation to reflect a clinical rationale regarding treatment decisions, and
• inadequate patient supervision.

CRICO insured clinicians and risk managers, can use RMF website's feedback form to direct questions, concerns, or comments about this information.

RMF Suicide Guidelines

• Guidelines for Identification, Assessment, and Treatment Planning for Suicidality [PDF]
• Decision Support Outline Emergency/Crisis Coverage of a Suicidal Patient [PDF]

You may use our website Feedback Form to direct questions, concerns or comments about this information.