Some veterans considered to be at high risk for suicide don't get follow up

VA doesn't follow up with many veterans after mental health care
May. 1, 2013
By Patricia Kime
Army Times

About a third of veterans considered to be at high risk for suicide don’t receive the recommended follow-up care after they’ve been discharged from Veterans Affairs Department inpatient mental health care, according to a new report from the VA inspector general.

The VA study shows that of 215 cases reviewed between April and September 2012, 65 did not receive the recommended after-care of four visits within 30 days of being discharged.

Thirty-three percent did not have any record of being contacted by a suicide prevention coordinator or case manager, as also is recommended in VA treatment policies.

“Although MH providers scheduled follow-up appointments prior to patient discharge, timely post-discharge MH evaluations were not consistently provided,” VA Assistant Inspector General for Healthcare Inspections Dr. John Daigh wrote.
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