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Publication Type: Risk Alert
Single or Multiple Incident: Multiple
Date: 10/1/2020 12:00:00 AM
Country: Hong Kong
This alert describes three fatal patient safety incidents of suicide. All three patients were diagnosed with cancer, two with metastases. Death was by hanging in the hospital in two instances and hanging at home in the third. In all cases suicidal screening on admission showed that patient was not at risk of suicide. In the first case hanging was conducted using a scarf tightened to the monkey pull in the patient’s room. The second case was hanging at home while on temporary leave from the hospital with no other details. The third case was hanging in the shower area using the shower hose. The overall assessment and management were considered appropriate and timely. Contributing factors and recommendations to prevent similar incidents are provided.

Additional Details

Device:
scarf, monkey pull, shower hose
Medication/IV List:
chemotherapeutic agents, parenteral and oral

Environment / Equipment
  1. Speed up the process of environmental modification based on relevant guidelines on hospital security design.
Communication
  1. Enhance the communication with family members on patient’s suicidal warning signs or unusual expression/ instruction.

Patient Suicide