Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with over 700,000 people taking their own lives each year (World Health Organization, 2021). Beyond the immense emotional toll it inflicts on families and friends, suicide places a heavy burden on healthcare systems. Over recent years, technological innovations have provided new opportunities for suicide prevention, particularly within healthcare environments such as hospitals and mental health inpatient and residential facilities.
These digital and other advanced technologies help staff manage and monitor at-risk individuals with real-time crisis interventions, reminders, and alerts that improve overall patient safety. The impact of new technologies is shaping suicide prevention efforts in healthcare settings. These technologies are evaluated, with a particular focus on patient care and safety.
Digital Screening Tools for Suicide Risk
One of the most critical applications in healthcare settings is the use of digital screening tools to assess suicide risk. Tools are increasingly being employed to determine the assessment process. These evidence-based tools help healthcare staff quickly identify individuals who may be at elevated risk of suicide, providing timely intervention and protection.
Digital versions of these tools integrate with Electronic Health Records (EHR), allowing for immediate access to the data and reducing the likelihood of errors or delays in risk assessments and remedies. By automating suicide risk screenings, healthcare facilities can ensure objectivity and consistency in assessing patients for signs of suicidal ideation, making early identification more systematic and less dependent on subjective assessments.
Additionally, AI-driven tools are beginning to be used for more dynamic risk assessment. For instance, machine learning algorithms can analyze patient data—such as recent changes in mood, behavior, or medical history—along with responses to screening questionnaires to predict potential suicidal behaviors. These systems can flag patients for further evaluation by staff members, significantly improving the accuracy and timeliness of suicide risk assessments and interventions.
Patient Monitoring through Wearable Devices
Wearable technology has transformed patient monitoring in healthcare, providing a new and effective way to access emotional and physiological signs of distress in real-time. Devices such as specialized wearables can monitor various indicators that may signal emotional, mental, or physical health crises.
In inpatient mental health settings, these devices are used to ensure consistent monitoring of patients for signs of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions linked to suicidal ideation. By providing staff with proximity-required observations, real-time reminders, and alerts, staff members are prompted to observe and intervene quickly—before suicidal thoughts or actions escalate. This proactive approach not only helps in monitoring high-risk individuals but also reduces the reliance on manual checks, making the process more consistent and effective.
As a result, healthcare teams are better equipped to intervene earlier, reducing the chances of a patient reaching a crisis point. With such innovations, the risk of suicide can be minimized through timely, informed action that prioritizes patient safety without compromising care.
Real-Time Data for Patient Management
Healthcare facilities are increasingly turning to data-driven tools to improve patient outcomes and prevent suicide. Real-time data collection and analysis enables staff members to monitor a variety of factors that may indicate suicide risk, such as changes in behavior.
By utilizing data analysis, professionals can identify subtle indicators of distress or deteriorating mental health that may not be immediately visible through direct observation. For example, aggregated data from patient evaluations and clinical assessments can highlight recurring patterns in mood changes, medication adherence, or even social interactions that could point to an increased risk of suicide. With this information, healthcare teams can proactively act, adjusting treatment plans, increasing observation intervals, and providing additional support before a crisis occurs.
This data-driven approach enables healthcare teams to make more informed decisions, enhancing patient care and safety. By shifting from traditional reactive strategies to a proactive, collaborative model, healthcare facilities can more effectively reduce the risk of suicide, ensuring patients receive timely support and interventions when they need it most.
Digital Suicide Prevention Tools for Inpatient Settings
Several digital tools are specifically designed for use in hospitals, mental health inpatient, and residential facilities where patients at risk of suicide may require constant monitoring and specialized care.
In inpatient settings, it is critical that technology is integrated into the care process in a way that supports, rather than replaces, human interaction. Studies have demonstrated that integrating such digital tools into a broader care plan reduces suicide risk. A study conducted by (Ripperger-Suhler et al., 2018) found that combining traditional therapy with digital mental health tools significantly improved the well-being of patients at risk for suicide in clinical settings. Digital tools should act as extensions of existing mental health support networks, enhancing rather than substituting direct clinical care.
For example, in some facilities, healthcare staff members use technology to supplement face-to-face interactions and enhance the care process. Tools allow staff to monitor patients’ progress and receive real-time updates on their well-being. Technology enables more frequent check-ins and facilitates ongoing communication between staff and patients, ensuring that patients feel supported even when not in direct contact with a physician. By integrating these technologies into a patient’s care plan, staff can provide more personalized, responsive interventions, ultimately helping to prevent suicide and improve patient outcomes.
The Importance of Patient-Centered Care in Digital Monitoring
Despite the effectiveness of digital tools in suicide prevention, it is essential that these technologies are integrated in a way that respects patients. For example, while certain technologies can alert healthcare providers to potential risks, they should be implemented in a manner that minimizes patient distress and protects their privacy. Healthcare professionals must carefully balance safety measures with the need to uphold patients’ autonomy and confidentiality, especially in sensitive mental health environments.
In hospitals and facilities, patient-centered care should be at the forefront of any technological innovation. This means that while technology is used to monitor and assess patients’ conditions, it should also enable staff to engage meaningfully with patients. Communication and trust-building remain essential components of suicide prevention. Technology should not replace the human connection necessary for a therapeutic relationship but should enhance the ability of healthcare to provide the right care at the right time.
Enhancing Patient Safety in Inpatient Mental Health Facilities
In inpatient settings, one of the most essential elements of suicide prevention is constant patient observation. However, traditional 1:1 observation protocol, while necessary, can sometimes lead to patient distress or staff burnout. Patients under constant surveillance may feel stigmatized or dehumanized, while staff members may struggle with the emotional and physical demands of maintaining high levels of constant observation around the clock.
This is where tools like ObservSMART play a crucial role. ObservSMART is a patient safety and compliance tool specifically designed to authenticate the monitoring of patients through proven proximity-required technology. Since patient acuity can vary, ObservSMART provides staff with needs-based, patient-specific monitoring capabilities. Since 1:1 monitoring can be costly, labor intensive, and can contribute to staff burnout, ObservSMART provides varied patient intervals to fit each patient’s needs, thus reducing the need to default to a constant observation scenario (ObservSMART, 2024). In cases where there is no other option but to prescribe a 1:1, ObservSMART provides teams with the technology to assist and ensure the 1:1 observation protocols are always in effect, thus reducing the likelihood of sentinel events missed warning signs and ensuring that patients receive the best of care.
The use of ObservSMART reduces the risk of harmful side effects associated with traditional 1:1 observation practice. The staff-to-patient proximity-required 1:1 device, proactive real-time alerts, clear documentation, and improved staff communication, minimizes unnecessary interventions, which can be distressing for patients. ObservSMART helps staff to stay focused on providing consistent, compassionate care. The technology ensures patients are observed on time and in a manner that is respectful and aligned with an organization’s safety goals.
Ultimately, ObservSMART is an example of how technology in healthcare can be used to strike a balance between effective suicide prevention and compassionate, patient-centered care.
Shaping Suicide Prevention with Technology
As suicide rates continue to rise, healthcare facilities are increasingly turning to digital innovations to enhance their ability to prevent suicide and support at-risk individuals. Innovations such as digital screening tools, wearable devices, and real-time data systems are allowing healthcare staff to monitor patients more closely and intervene proactively.
Additionally, patient safety technology tools are enhancing the ability to provide safe, non-intrusive observation for high-risk individuals, ensuring that patients receive the care they need without compromising their well-being. By utilizing these technologies, healthcare systems are better equipped to address the current suicide crisis with greater precision, compassion, and effectiveness.
For media inquiries, contact cshows@invisalertsolutions.com or visit our website at www.ObservSMART.com.
References
ObservSMART. (2024). ObservSMART 1:1.
Ripperger-Suhler, J. L., Green, A. M., & Morse, A. (2018). Teletherapy: An emerging tool in suicide prevention. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 24(7), 485-490.
World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). Suicide prevention.
