Suicide Attempts after Emergency Room Visits: The Effect of Patient Safety Goals

Abstract

Objectives: This study performed a secondary data analysis to assess the effect of the 2007 Joint Commission Patient Safety Goals on suicide attempts among patients following treatment at hospital emergency rooms. Methods: A difference-in-difference approach compared changes in rates of suicide attempts for individuals with a primary mental health diagnosis and individuals with a physical health diagnosis after emergency room treatment. Results: In the six months following treatment, suicide rates declined after implementation of the Goals among patients treated for a primary mental health diagnosis, and increased among patients with a poisoning diagnosis, compared to individuals with a physical health diagnosis. Conclusion: The Goals were associated with a reduction in suicide attempts after emergency room treatment.