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Results

Results from Zero Suicide are promising.

The Zero Suicide framework was constructed around evidence-based practices, which inform the seven core elements of safer suicide care. Since Zero Suicide was created in 2012, more than a thousand systems nationally and around the world have begun implementation. Preliminary research is ongoing and systems continue to improve their fidelity to the framework.

The most thorough body of evidence for Zero Suicide—including research articles, outcome stories, and evidence for each of the seven elements—is available on the Zero Suicide Toolkit website. The recommendations below will help get you started.

Visit ZeroSuicide.edc.org

Results from Implementers

Hundreds of healthcare systems have adopted Zero Suicide—and they’re seeing results.

  • Reductions in suicide deaths
  • Decreases in hospitalizations
  • Increases in quality and continuity of care
  • Improvement in post-discharge follow-up visit attendance
  • Improvements in screening rates according to protocol
  • System-wide care pathway implementation
  • Fewer inpatient psychiatric hospital readmissions
  • Cost savings
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Modeling Improvement

Zero Suicide represents the best safe suicide care practices translated into the language of Six Sigma continuous quality improvement. Early adopters, like Henry Ford Health System in Michigan and Centerstone in Tennessee, observed significant decreases in suicide death rates.

Over a decade of implementation has shown results from increased patient satisfaction to bottom-line cost savings. We've compiled highlights from outcome stories and research articles to demonstrate the transformative potential of Zero Suicide. Full texts are available on the ZeroSuicide.edc.org website.

Aspire Indiana

From 2014-2018, measured 70% reduction in suicide deaths and reached zero suicides for 12 months.

Read their story

Chickasaw Nation DHFS

Safe care practices led to 200 diversions from inpatient care for an estimated $200,000 in savings.

Read their story

UMASS Memorial Health Care

Suicide screening rose to 90% across all emergency departments, with 4% screening positive for risk.

Read their story

Riveredge Hospital

In 2017 there was a 21% decrease in the 30-day readmission rate compared to the previous year.

Read their story

The Betty Hardwick Center

8% decrease in hospital admissions from FY 2017 to FY 2018 for a savings of $23,400.

Read their story

Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester

First year of implementation, assessed suicide risk in 100% of clients, trained 80% of staff in suicide prevention, and decreased suicide deaths by 44%.

Read their story

 

Measuring Impact

Published research on the Zero Suicide approach continues to grow. Recent studies offer compelling insights into its effectiveness.

  • Greater fidelity to Zero Suicide practices is associated with lower risk for suicidal behaviors (March 2021)
  • Implementation of Zero Suicide-aligned suicide prevention pathway decreases risk of repeat suicide attempts (November 2020)
  • The benefits of Zero Suicide are compromised when there are barriers to a just workplace culture (November 2020)

Clinical Care

For more research on Zero Suicide, check out these foundational articles:

"Suicide Prevention: An Emerging Priority for Health Care"

"An Update on Perfect Depression Care"