Measured response to identified suicide risk and violence: What you need to know about psychiatric patient safety

Within inpatient psychiatric settings exists evidence of a significant risk of violent incidents and incidents of deliberate self-harm. One of the most hidden and preventable mental health problems is the fact that approximately 1,500 suicides take place annually in inpatient hospital facilities throughout the United States. This article focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of risk and suicide assessment procedures while attempting to answer the following questions: What degree of risk currently exists on inpatient psychiatric facilities for harm to self and others? What can be done within the physical environment to protect the psychiatric patient? We discuss a combined risk and quality proactive approach to risk reduction through a safety equation integrating patient assessment, physical environment, program safety, and patient component to formalize a systems approach to the at-risk patient.