For More Information:
Deana Chase, LICSW, ACM, CCM
Quality Improvement Specialist - Suicide Care Initiatives
deanac@vpqhc.org
Quality Improvement Specialist - Suicide Care Initiatives
deanac@vpqhc.org
Funded By:
The Four Pines Fund
The Vermont Department of Health
The Vermont Department of Health
Enhancing suicide care practices in Vermont's emergency departments through training, evidence-based and standardized care pathways, and statewide collaboration.
VPQHC leads Suicide Prevention in Emergency Departments Quality Improvement Initiative, which is a statewide effort to improve care for people at risk of suicide who come to Vermont emergency departments. Since 2022, we’ve partnered with hospitals to strengthen suicide care using evidence-based approaches grounded in the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s Breakthrough Series model, improving safety, consistency, and outcomes.
We support hospital teams with practical tools, training, and one-on-one technical assistance. This includes annual mock surveys, workflow reviews, and coaching to help staff apply best practices in real-time care. Hospitals also take part in shared learning opportunities with peers across the state.
By helping teams embed suicide care into everyday emergency department operations, this initiative ensures that patients in crisis receive timely, compassionate, and effective support.
View the project informational video here
We support hospital teams with practical tools, training, and one-on-one technical assistance. This includes annual mock surveys, workflow reviews, and coaching to help staff apply best practices in real-time care. Hospitals also take part in shared learning opportunities with peers across the state.
By helping teams embed suicide care into everyday emergency department operations, this initiative ensures that patients in crisis receive timely, compassionate, and effective support.
View the project informational video here
Impact Highlights:
- 100% of Vermont hospitals with emergency departments are actively participating in the initiative.
- Over 400 emergency department staff have completed Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) training.
- All participating hospitals report improvements in suicide care policies, procedures, or workflows.
Testimonials:
"Partnering with VPQHC on suicide prevention has been eye-opening, collaborative, and rewarding. It has streamlined our care, making it more patient-focused—not just in our ED, but hospital-wide. This initiative has enhanced awareness and safety for patients. VPQHC’s support has been invaluable, always responsive and just a call away. We look forward to continuing this collaboration for years to come."
Olga M. Carey, RN ED Nurse Manager, Springfield Hospital
"Working in collaboration with VPQHC on our Suicide Prevention Pathway has been instrumental in providing a framework for this important work. It has helped to focus our attention on evidence-based methods to provide the best suicide prevention care we can."
Kristen Schieman, ED Nurse Manager, Central Vermont Medical Center
"Partnering with VPQHC has been invaluable in strengthening our Emergency Department’s suicide prevention efforts. Their support has enhanced our awareness, resources, and confidence in providing patient-centered care. This collaboration has also deepened our connection with Northeast Kingdom Human Services, allowing us to better support our community’s needs. Together, we are fostering compassionate, non-judgmental care and continuously improving our approach to suicide prevention."
Andrea Willey, LICSW, Innovation Coordinator, Community Health Improvement, Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital
- 100% of Vermont hospitals with emergency departments are actively participating in the initiative.
- Over 400 emergency department staff have completed Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) training.
- All participating hospitals report improvements in suicide care policies, procedures, or workflows.
Testimonials:
"Partnering with VPQHC on suicide prevention has been eye-opening, collaborative, and rewarding. It has streamlined our care, making it more patient-focused—not just in our ED, but hospital-wide. This initiative has enhanced awareness and safety for patients. VPQHC’s support has been invaluable, always responsive and just a call away. We look forward to continuing this collaboration for years to come."
Olga M. Carey, RN ED Nurse Manager, Springfield Hospital
"Working in collaboration with VPQHC on our Suicide Prevention Pathway has been instrumental in providing a framework for this important work. It has helped to focus our attention on evidence-based methods to provide the best suicide prevention care we can."
Kristen Schieman, ED Nurse Manager, Central Vermont Medical Center
"Partnering with VPQHC has been invaluable in strengthening our Emergency Department’s suicide prevention efforts. Their support has enhanced our awareness, resources, and confidence in providing patient-centered care. This collaboration has also deepened our connection with Northeast Kingdom Human Services, allowing us to better support our community’s needs. Together, we are fostering compassionate, non-judgmental care and continuously improving our approach to suicide prevention."
Andrea Willey, LICSW, Innovation Coordinator, Community Health Improvement, Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital
