Suicide prevention awareness month is the time for nurse leaders to talk openly about the risk for and prevention of suicide.
Monday, September 24, 2018

You can do difficult things.

Suicide is a tough topic, but it's something that needs to be talked about, and this last week of Suicide Prevention Awareness month is a good time to do that. Being knowledgeable about suicide risk factors and prevention resources can save lives so I have included an article on suicide prevention resources in this issue.

Another difficult issue nurses face—inappropriate behavior from patients and their family members. Setting limits on difficult behavior may feel uncomfortable, but it's necessary to get the behavior to stop. Read about how you and your nurses can create appropriate boundaries with patients and their families.

I know these subjects aren't warm-and-fuzzy, but they are important. I have confidence that by facing these issues head-on nurse leaders can make a difference. It's hard work. But it's worth it.

 

3 Suicide Prevention Resources for Nurses
Suicide prevention awareness month is the time for nurse leaders to talk openly about the risk for and prevention of suicide.
 
 
Hospitals Must 'Accept Nothing Less Than Zero Harm'
The Joint Commission will continue to focus on suicide prevention, emergency management, and the physical environment. Find out what TJC had to say about these areas during its annual Hospital Executive Briefings. 
How to Address Inappropriate Patient Behavior
Ignoring disrespectful behavior from patients or family members often makes the situation worse. Here's how care teams can address inappropriate behavior with techniques like role modeling and rehearsing.
Sponsored
30 Awesome Patient Communication Tips from Practices Like Yours
Patient communication is an art and a science. You can automate a lot of processes and make them customized and personal. But there are still nuances to how you connect with patients, and some practices are great at it. We asked a few of those practices to share their secrets.
Can Nurses Look Forward to Needle-Free Blood Draws?
Needles are a workplace hazard for nurses. New needleless technology may help improve RN safety and patient experience.
Don't Blame ER for Out-of-Control Costs: Hospitals Dispute NYT Op-Ed
A professor's opinion piece prompted a formal rebuke from the AHA and CHA this week, as rising healthcare costs lead to more finger-pointing.
 
 

Must Reads

Virtual reality takes shape inside Dallas nursing school
NBC DFW
Financial impact of nurses ballot question? Depends who's counting.
Boston Globe
Arizona State Hospital sued by advocacy organization over patient, record access
ABC 15 Arizona
Illinois Supreme Court ruling a win for nonprofit hospitals
The News-Gazette
Nurses in D.C.'s 911 center are helping cut some unnecessary ambulance runs, but not most
The Washington Post
 

Thanks for reading today's edition. If you'd like to tell me about your organization's effective programs and solutions, drop me a line at jthew@healthleadersmedia.com or follow me on Twitter @jen_NurseEditor. I'd love to hear from you.

 

Jennifer Thew, RN
Senior Editor, Nursing