IMPLEMENTATION OF A STANDARDIZED SUICIDE SCREENING PROCESS AT A BRAIN HEALTH CLINIC

Abstract

Background: Suicide, the 12th leading cause of death in the United States, is a critical global public health concern. Forty-five percent of suicides occur within a month of healthcare contact, highlighting the urgency of educating on the importance of suicide screening to identify at-risk individuals. Early detection, using evidence-based screening tools, is essential for effective risk identification and intervention. Purpose: This project aimed to assess whether implementing and educating on a formal standardized suicide screening process improves providers' self-perceived confidence and competence while promoting successful screening of all new patients at a brain health clinic. Methods: Three providers at Balanced Brain viewed an asynchronous educational PowerPoint outlining the standardized suicide screening process. Pre- surveys were utilized to measure provider confidence and competence with a 5-point Likert scale. Following the educational session, providers implemented the screening process for new patients over a period of five months. Post- surveys, coupled with a satisfaction question, were administered after the implementation phase. The number of successfully screened new patients was determined from the electronic health record. Results: After education and implementation of the suicide screening process, providers’ mean self-perceived confidence and competence in their suicide assessment skills increased 30% and 55.7%, respectively, and 90% of new patients were successfully screened. Conclusion/Implications: Implementation and education of a formal standardized suicide screening process at Balanced Brain improved providers’ self-perceived confidence and competence and the successful screening of new patients. The findings suggest the importance of standardized suicide screening processes, particularly in clinics serving patients with risk factors.