Suicide Risk Screening in Pediatric Primary Care: A Quality Improvement Collaborative Approach.

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Public Health
• Quality Improvement Science

Background:

• Pediatric primary care settings are crucial for identifying suicide risk.
• Existing screening adherence rates require improvement to ensure patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To improve suicide risk screening adherence by 25% in a pediatric primary care network.
• To enhance provider confidence in managing suicidal ideation and improve in-office suicide risk management.

Main Methods:

• A quality improvement project (QIP) involving 28 South Carolina primary care sites.
• 18 months of clinician training and monthly chart audits.
• Annual surveys assessed provider comfort with suicide risk management.

Main Results:

• Suicide risk screening adherence increased by 25.1% (from 62.3% to 87.4%).
• 77.8% of patients were screened, with 3.2% screening positive and 0.4% requiring emergency care.
• High rates of outpatient referral (88.2%) and in-office interventions (90.8%) for positive screens; clinician satisfaction rose 57.7%.

Conclusions:

• Suicide prevention strategies are feasible in large pediatric primary care networks.
• Sustained education, skills training, and quality improvement interventions drive successful implementation.