Related Experiment Videos
Getting inside depression and suicide ideation
Sandra Kenney Weeks1, Mary Ann Anderson, Laura S Harmon
1North Carolina Baptist Hospital of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, USA. sweeks@wfubmc.edu
Nursing Management
|January 11, 2005
Summary
Nurses at a Magnet hospital perform age-specific screenings for depression and suicide ideation as part of safety initiatives. This proactive approach aims to identify and address potential mental health concerns in patients.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Patient Safety
- Mental Health Screening
Background:
- Magnet hospitals are recognized for nursing excellence and patient care.
- Proactive identification of mental health issues is crucial for patient safety.
- Existing safety initiatives may include mental health assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the implementation of age-specific depression and suicide ideation screening by nurses.
- To highlight the role of nurses in hospital safety initiatives.
- To underscore the importance of targeted mental health assessments.
Main Methods:
- Nurses conduct age-specific screenings.
- Screening protocols address depression.
- Screening protocols address suicide ideation when appropriate.
Main Results:
- Age-specific depression screening is integrated into nursing practice.
- Suicide ideation screening is performed selectively based on clinical judgment.
- These screenings are part of the hospital's broader safety framework.
Conclusions:
- Nurses play a vital role in identifying patients at risk for depression and suicide.
- Age-specific screening enhances the effectiveness of mental health assessments.
- This practice contributes to the overall safety and quality of care in a Magnet hospital.