@article{ref1,
title="Pediatric suicide screening: a review of the evidence",
journal="Journal of Pediatric Nursing",
year="2020",
author="Milliman, Chloe C. and Dwyer, Patricia A. and Vessey, Judith A.",
volume="59",
number="",
pages="1-9",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Suicide rates are increasing for youths and suicide is the second leading cause of death for 10-24 year olds. This evidence-based practice project  critically reviews literature regarding the effectiveness of pediatric suicide  screening. <br><br>METHODS: A literature search was guided by the following question: In  pediatric patients, does suicide screening at every health encounter compared to an  annual screen increase clinician identification of patients at-risk. Ten articles  met inclusion criteria and were critically appraised and synthesized. <br><br>FINDINGS:  Youths had high rates of suicidal ideation (SI), anxiety, and depression. Pediatric  universal suicide screening identified SI in youths with both psychiatric and  non-psychiatric medical complaints. Patients with chronic health conditions reported  higher rates of mental health symptoms and SI. A specific suicide screening  instrument should be used as general mental health screens likely miss youths  at-risk for SI. The Ask Suicide-Screening Questions tool is an easy to use and  highly sensitive instrument for detecting suicide risk in youths. <br><br>DISCUSSION: Many  youths that screen positive for SI do not have known mental health concerns and  would have been missed if not asked directly. Universal screening for SI identifies  at-risk youth and allows nurses and other providers to intervene. The need for  universal screening across pediatric health care settings using brief, validated  screening tools is paramount. APPLICATION TO PRACTICE: Nurses working in pediatric  settings should champion universal screening for SI. Unit-based quality improvement  projects using the Plan-Do-Study-Act change cycle provides a model for instituting  universal screening for SI.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0882-5963",
doi="10.1016/j.pedn.2020.12.011",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2020.12.011"
}