Clinical Research Directory

TIPS Program where a telehealth evaluation from a mental health clinician proficient in best practices was administered. The goal of which was to improve access and timeliness of evaluations through telehealth and the quality of management of suicidality in the ED. The main focus of TIPS was to replace the usual "call and arrive" or "transfer to a regional ED" models previously offered to a telehealth based evaluation. Components of the TIPS program included: (1) Telehealth evaluations with a masters-level mental health clinician; (2) Evidence informed-risk assessment with the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (CSSRS), Risk Assessment version; (3) Safety planning using the Stanley-Brown Safety Planning Intervention; (4) Care transitions using NAASP Best Practices in Care Transitions for Individuals with Suicide Risk; and (5) Telepsychiatry evaluation.

TIPS+EDSAFE condition in which a random subset of discharged patients who received TIPS also received up to 3 follow-ups call over 3 three months after their initial presentation at the ED. The first call happened within a week, the second within a month and third within 3 months. It was one call to create a safety plan with the patient and 2 more calls to have a value discussion and life plan and check in on whether the safety plan needs to be updated and any barriers to getting outpatient treatment.