Hospitals urged to watch for suicide warning signs

An accrediting group is raising awareness about suicides in hospitalized patients without known psychiatric risks.

Of 827 hospital suicides voluntarily reported between 1995 and June, almost 25 percent occurred in non-psychiatric places like emergency rooms and cancer wards.

That's according to the Joint Commission. The Oakbrook Terrace-based group accredits most of the nation's hospitals.

It has issued a new alert for hospitals to provide suicide screening in emergency rooms and to watch for warning signs in all patients.

It urges hospitals to check for contraband that could be used for suicide in patients who show signs. And it says mental health professional should be called in if needed.