Barriers to Completion of Suicide Risk Screening by Nurses in Acute and Intensive Care: A Qualitative Focus Group Study

Background: Suicide risk screening is recommended for patients hospitalized for medical, surgical, or traumatic injury reasons. Purpose: To identify barriers nurses face to effectively implementing a suicide risk screening protocol in patients admitted to acute or intensive care units. Methods: A qualitative descriptive approach using focus group methodology was used. Participants were nurses working in acute and intensive care units at a level 1 trauma center. Transcripts of focus groups were thematically coded for barriers using the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behavior Model, an implementation science determinants framework. Results: Twenty-two registered nurses participated. Nurses mentioned barriers impacting nurses’ and patients’ capability and motivation to engage in the risk screening protocol as well as practical barriers that limit the opportunity to do so. Conclusions: Strategies to overcome barriers to screening for complex patients in the busy acute and intensive care settings are needed.