title: Alert addresses patient suicides.
abstract: The Joint Commission has issued a Sentinel Event Alert about patient suicides in the ED and med/surg units because they represent environments that are distinct from that of the psych unit.The ED faces special challenges because of its fast-paced environment. Recognize and look for psychiatric issues that might be the result of the patient's reaction to their physical problems. Schedule an inservice following a near miss or a successful suicide. It will be much more impactful if staff can relate to an incident. Be on the alert for signs of psychological problems in your patients, i.e., agitation manifested by pacing the floor.
mesh_terms: D016208:Databases, Factual; D006801:Humans; D007591:Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations; D010361:Patients; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance; D013405:Suicide; D014481:United States