The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified suicide as the second leading cause of death for kids and young adults ages 10 to 24, second only to unintentional injuries. Approximately 2 million adolescents attempt suicide each year.
Suicidal ideation is defined as having thoughts of suicide that may range from a vague wish to die to a specific plan and intent. By being familiar with warning signs, risk factors and screening tools, you can help ensure the interventions needed for the child and family are provided.
Course objectives
- Outline the warning signs, risk factors and screening tools used to identify pediatric patients with suicidal ideation.
- Summarize the strategies presented by The Joint Commission and The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to protect at-risk patients.
- Identify effective therapeutic communication techniques to use with patients with suicidal ideation.
- Describe assessment parameters used to evaluate for medical stability in the patient with suicidal ideation.
- Summarize trauma-informed care strategies to be used in the management of the patient with suicide ideation in the hospital setting.
- Describe medications that may be used with patients with suicidal ideation.
- Outline the options for disposition of the patient with suicidal ideation, including discharge, and the criteria and care considerations for each.
- Outline patient and family care interventions when boarding a patient with suicidal ideation in the ED.
Note: This course is only available to staff at PLS Participating Hospitals through their Learning Management Systems.
