Tag: suicide

Corewell Health Suicide Care & Prevention Team Receives MHA Advancing Safe Care Award

News Releases, Member News, Patient Safety and Quality
mha advancing safe care award
MHA CEO Brian Peters, Amy Brown, chief nursing officer, MHA and Gary Roth, chief medical officer, MHA pictured with members of Corewell Health’s Suicide Care and Prevention Team.

The MHA announced the winner of its 2025 Advancing Safe Care Award April 28, honoring Corewell Health’s suicide care and prevention team. The award was announced during the MHA Keystone Center Safety & Quality Symposium.

The MHA Advancing Safe Care Award honors healthcare teams within MHA-member hospitals that demonstrate an unwavering commitment to providing quality care, show evidence of an improved safety culture and demonstrate transparency in their efforts to improve healthcare.

Corewell Health’s behavioral health department launched the Suicide Care & Prevention Team (SPCT) to reduce patient deaths by suicide through increased screening, risk assessment and connectivity with appropriate interventions and services.

The team’s efforts have led to a reduction in suicide deaths – lower than state and national averages. While deaths by suicide were down by 0.89% in Michigan and by 2.53% nationally between 2017 and 2020, Corewell Health in West Michigan saw a 21.64% decrease. When suicide rates increased post-pandemic, deaths in Michigan and nationally were up 5.01% and 4.63% respectively from 2017 to 2023. However, Corewell Health in West Michigan maintained a slight decrease of 0.75%.

“We are so grateful for this recognition for our efforts to decrease suicide deaths,” said Natalia Szczygiel, vice president of behavioral health operations, Corewell Health. “Corewell Health in West Michigan currently administers over 1.2 million suicide screenings, 12,500 safety plans and 10,800 lethal means reduction conversations annually. We are here to care for our patients mind and body.”

The group integrated suicide prevention measures into all aspects of care throughout the system with a focus on accessible training and resources for staff interacting with patients. The SPCT spearheaded the integration of suicide risk assessments into the organization’s electronic health records system and facilitated efforts for improved suicide care workflows within the inpatient, emergency room, primary care and pediatric care settings.

Leaders across the system monitor the organization’s prevention efforts via the SPCT’s suicide prevention dashboard, which tracks screenings, assessments and support services offered.

Members may access further details about the Corewell Health Suicide Care and Prevention Team online.

COMPACT Act Expands Emergent Suicide Care to Veterans

Member News

Effective January 2023, section 201 of the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care and Treatment (COMPACT) Act of 2020 allows eligible veterans to receive emergent suicide care in any Veterans Affairs (VA) or non-VA facility at no cost. The COMPACT Act requires reimbursement for any emergent suicide care provided to eligible veterans.

Veterans are not required to be enrolled in the VA system to use this benefit. The COMPACT Act will expand eligibility to an additional nine million unenrolled veterans and ensures all veterans in acute suicidal crisis have access to needed services.

Additional hospital-specific implications of the COMPACT Act are outlined below:

  • Hospital emergency departments that have a veteran experiencing an acute suicidal crisis should contact the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) National Emergency Reporting Center as soon as possible, preferably within 72 hours by calling the VA emergency notification number at 1-844-72HRVHA (1-844-724-7842) or through the VA emergency care reporting portal.
  • Community hospitals must submit claims for reimbursement to the VA within 180 days for care given during an acute suicidal crisis. Any other medical and or mental healthcare provided at a community hospital’s emergency department, beyond the designated suicidal ideation and acute crisis, falls under the VHA 72-hour emergency care notification and reporting requirements.
  • Additional training for hospital staff to assist veterans in suicidal crisis or those who are having thoughts of suicide are encouraged are encouraged to sign up for a VA S.A.V.E training, either online or in-person training.

Members may refer to the IVC Fact Sheet for more information about the COMPACT Act, which includes details on eligibility, program benefits, available services, definitions and frequently asked questions. Contact information for Michigan VA hospitals and additional veteran resources are available through the Choose VA resource.

Members with questions may contact Lauren LaPine at the MHA.

The Joint Commission Revises Definition of Suicide in Sentinel Event Policy

Member News

The Joint Commission has updated the definition of suicide in its Sentinel Event Policy to include time frames with the highest risk for suicide and highlight the healthcare organization’s continued responsibility for ongoing assessment of the patient as they progress through their treatment plan. Effective Jan. 1, 2024, this revision applies to all Joint Commission accreditation and certification programs (with limited exceptions).

The revised definition of suicide in the Sentinel Event Policy reads Death caused by self-inflicted injurious behavior if any of the following apply:

  • While in a healthcare setting.
  • Within 7 days of discharge from inpatient services.
  • Within 7 days of discharge from emergency department.
  • While receiving or within 7 days of discharge from the following behavioral health care services:
    • Day Treatment/Partial Hospitalization Program/Intensive Outpatient Program.
    • Residential.
    • Group home.
    • Transitional supportive living.

The prior definition, which has now been replaced, was:

Suicide of any patient receiving care, treatment, and services in a staffed around the clock care setting or within 72 hours of discharge, including from the health care organization’s emergency department.

Members may visit the Joint Commission’s Sentinel Event Policy and Procedures webpage for more information.

Members with questions may contact Kelsey Ostergren at the MHA.