Posted: September 1st, 2022

The Most Effective Care Procedures for Suicidal Patients

The Most Effective Care Procedures for Suicidal Patients
Suicide is the deliberate act of taking your own life. A suicide attempt is a failed act of inflicting violence on oneself with the aim of ending your life. Recurring suicidal thoughts is known as suicidal ideation. Most people with suicidal ideation often have many failed suicidal attempts but rarely end up taking their life. However, the degree of suicidal ideation must be determined by establishing factors such as the presence of a suicidal plan, and the availability of materials and resources to execute suicide.
According to the World Health Organization WHO, suicide accounts for more than 800,000 deaths each year globally. In the United States, suicide is ranked as the 10th leading cause of death. In 2014, more than 40,000 deaths were as a result of suicide. Suicide cuts across all groups of all races, gender, and age across the globe. However, more males tend to die from suicide compared to females. This can be associated with the fact that males tend to choose more brutal suicidal methods than women. Females are also more likely to report suicidal thoughts and attempts and get the necessary help.
Heath care procedures for Suicidal Patients
Assessment
Managing a patient with suicidal thoughts and attempts demands a comprehensive understanding of the issue. The care plan for suicidal patients focuses on providing a safe environment, a reliable support system, and close supervision to prevent them from harming themselves. If a health care provider suspects a patient is suicidal, the first step is to do a comprehensive assessment to determine the severity of the symptoms and the level of the risk.
Risk Factors
Suicidal thoughts and attempts can occur to anyone. However, they occur at higher rates with people suffering from mental conditions such as schizophrenia, depression, personality disorders, substance abuse, PTSD, among others. Physical terminal illnesses such as cancer and HIV and environmental factors such as domestic violence, poverty, and the death of a loved one can also precipitate suicidal thoughts. The evaluation should establish the source of the thoughts which could be from an underlying medical condition or other environmental factors.
Medical stabilization
Patients who appear withdrawn agitated may be at more risk or attempting suicide. Such patients should be admitted, and their medical conditions stabilized before a formal evaluation begins. If the patient poses an acute danger to themselves and other people, they should be retrained chemically or physically.
Finally, after assessment and evaluation, the provider should be able to suggest the most appropriate treatment plan for the patient. The plan may involve further evaluation by a psychiatrist while still at the hospital. If the patient is to be discharged, they must be accompanied by someone accountable. In the long run, a suicidal patient requires a robust social support system which can include family, friends, a therapist, or anyone that the patient may talk to whenever they have suicidal thoughts.

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