New risk assessment tool helps keep hospital patients and staff members safe

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has implemented a new risk assessment tool designed to enhance safety for patients and staff in state psychiatric and behavioral health hospitals.

The tool evaluates the likelihood that patients may pose a risk to themselves or others.

Since its introduction, hospitals using the system have reported significant improvements, including a 47% reduction in patient injuries and a 27% decrease in serious staff injuries related to patient incidents.

The assessment focuses on seven behavioral criteria, including irritability, impulsivity, and verbal threats.

Each patient is evaluated every 24 hours and receives one point for each applicable criterion, for a total possible score of seven.

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