Aftermath of Suicide in the Hospital: Institutional Response

Background: A suicide can be a devastating event in the hospital, and few guidelines exist to aid an institution's response. Method: The authors describe a framework of immediate, short-term and long-term responses in the event of an in-hospital suicide. Conclusion: Implications for administration, communication, assessment, physical environment, and standards of care throughout the hospital are discussed that are relevant to both general-medical and psychiatric settings. Suggestions for the successful management of the aftermath of a suicide, such as the formation of a multidisciplinary leadership team, are included. (Psychosomatics 2008; 49: 461-469)