l8_suicideattempt

Procedure Number: L8 Issued: 08/04 Revised: 02/16 Reviewed: 11/17 1 SUICIDE ATTEMPT AUTHORITY Related JDF Procedures: L7 Suicide Prevention Officers must be alert at all times to the possibility of suicide attempts within a Juvenile Detention Facility (JDF) . Any attempt by a youth in the facility to injure or harm their self will be taken seriously. If a youth attempts to commit suicide, i mmediately render necessary first aid and obtain medical help from the medical staff anytime they are on duty.  If medical staff is not present and the youth has no apparent serious injuries , call the on - call medical provider and advise them of the situation.  If it is felt the youth has suffered significant injury, and medical staff is not present, call 9-911.  If the youth is in a sleeping room and is in a life -threatening position, radio (CODE 3) for immediate assistance and request the Control Room call 9-911, if necessary . Remove any other youth from the room as soon as possible.  When requesting emergency medical assistance, inform dispatch of the type of medical emergency ; if the youth is awake, alert, and breathing ; the age and sex of the youth ; and directions into the JDF.  If on -call medical staff is contact ed by telephone, notify them of the suicide attempt and action which has been taken by staff. If more emergent response is made during a suicide attempt incident, on -call medical staff must be apprised of the event once the incident concludes or deemed appropriate. In a serious/life -threatening situation, the medical staff or responding emergency personnel will determine appropriate treatment.  If the youth requires hospitalization and an ambulance has responded, an officer will ride in the ambulance. Another officer will take a county vehicle to the hospital.  If transported by an officer, the officer will remain with the youth until relieved by another officer . A two officer transport is recommended following a suicide atte mpt.  The shift s upervisor will notify the Assistant Superintendent, S uperintendent, parents (if the youth is transported to the hospital), and Chief Probation Officer. If medical staff or emergen cy medical personnel determine medical treatment is not nece ssary, institute close observation procedures.  Make an urgent referral to a Mental Health Clinician .  Move yout h to a holding or observation room for direct visual observation.  Place the youth in suicide prevention garments and on Suicide Watch (SW). (JDF Procedure L7 , Suicide Prevention) Procedure Number: L8 2 The Supervisor will conduct a thorough investigation and ensure each officer prepares a Special Incident Report for the Assistant Superintendent/ Superintendent. This includes:  All room safety checks.  Time of incident.  When and how officers became aware of the attempt.  All action s taken by officers and times action s were taken.  All persons contacted and the time they were contacted. Supervisors must remain aware to the potential effects critical incidents have on staff and youth and make the appropriate referrals for assistance.