A1 - What Makes Zero Suicide Stick? Lessons From Implementation Experiences

Healthcare systems commonly experience a variety of barriers in their implementation of evidence-based safer suicide care (i.e., cost, time, training, competing demands etc.). However, by leveraging the Zero Suicide model, multiple healthcare systems have successfully developed and sustained comprehensive suicide care pathways, improved clinician competency, and improved clinical outcomes.

People who die by suicide are touching our healthcare system: 92% of those who made a suicide attempt have seen a health care provider in the year before their attempt. The Zero Suicide framework is based on the realization that suicidal individuals often fall through the cracks in a sometimes fragmented and distracted health care system. The Zero Suicide framework offers healthcare systems a systematic approach to quality improvement to caring for those at risk for suicide that addresses these gaps in care. The Zero Suicide framework resembles other systemwide approaches to reduce adverse events. With focused attention, use of evidence-based practices, training, attention to fidelity, and engaged leadership, suicide deaths for those in care can be reduced.

During this session participants will learn about innovative ideas that healthcare systems are implementing to improve suicide care in their systems. These ideas are rooted in the Zero Suicide model and have been used in real world health care settings. Opportunities to explore how to take some of the ideas presented and use them immediately to grow and spread sustainable change to improve the suicide care provided in healthcare setting will be shared.

Panelists will be asked to share their implementation strategies, fidelity monitoring, and outcomes related to each of the 7 Zero Suicide elements: Lead, Train, Identify, Engage, Treat, Transition and Improve as well as about organizational strategies for success. We will have time for questions for the panelists from the audience as well.