Citation

Jayaram G, Sporney H, Perticone P. Psychiatry (MMC) 2010; 7(8): 46-49.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Matrix Medical Communications)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Implementing harm reduction is among the administrative tasks used for maintaining a safe unit for psychiatric in-patients. Such harm may be potentially caused by patients themselves or others. Included in nursing procedures implemented for observing suicidal patients is the practice of 15-minute checks. In reviewing the standard forms used for such procedures in several major hospitals across the United States, we noticed a wide variation in the format and use of 15- minute checks, as well as poor guidelines for their termination. We recommend that the observation practice of 15-minute checks be eliminated from the repertoire of nursing protocols for suicidal patients who are assessed to be at imminent risk for self harm on inpatient units.

Language: en

Keywords

Suicide; Suicide risk; suicidal behavior; article; health care policy; patient monitoring; clinical protocol; high risk patient; illness behavior; hospital care; Psychiatric hospital; harm reduction; clinical effectiveness; 15-minute check; nursing practice; nursing protocol; Patient observation; Suicide prevention protocol