Including suicide care in primary care visits resulted in a 25% decrease in suicide attempts in the following 90 days.
Researchers from Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute implemented suicide risk screening and safety planning into their Kaiser Permanente clinics. The integrated care model screened patients using the Patient Health Questionnaire. Those at high suicide risk were referred to members of the care team for safety planning.
Upon implementation in January 2016, documented safety plans within two weeks of a primary care visit increased by 14%, while combined nonfatal suicide attempts and suicide deaths decreased by 25%.
In general, more patients were screened for suicide risk, depression, alcohol and drug use compared to usual primary care.
Lead author Julie Angerhofer Richards said their findings are important for preventing suicide attempts: ‘Many healthcare systems in the US and abroad now routinely ask patients about suicidal thoughts, and this study provides evidence to support this practice, in combination with collaborative safety planning among people identified at risk of suicide attempt.’
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