The Joint Commission is expanding its definition of suicide as a sentinel event.
According to a Dec. 13 news release from the organization, begining in 2024, a patient's death by suicide will be considered a sentinel event if the death occurs:
- While in a healthcare setting
- Within seven days of discharge from inpatient services
- Within seven days of discharge from emergency department
- While in or within seven days of discharge from these behavioral healthcare settings:
- Day treatment/partial hospitalization program/intensive outpatient program
- Residential
- Group home
- Transitional supportive living
The current policy only considers death by suicide a sentinel event if the death occurs within 72 hours of being discharged from an around-the-clock care setting or emergency department.
In the news release, the commission said data and evidence-based literature support extending the time frame and services a patient receives when considering a suicide as a sentinel event. The new criteria are designed to align with the highest risk-windows for death by suicide and highlight healthcare organizations' responsibility for ongoing assessment of patients, residents or individuals treatment progress.