NPSG.15.01.01 EP 2 requires use of a validated screening tool for patients being evaluated or treated for behavioral health conditions as their primary reason for care. Is screening required for all individuals served and what is meant by a 'validated screening tool? (Effective: July 1, 2019)

Any examples are for  illustrative purposes only.

Yes, the standard requires screening individuals served for suicidal ideation who are being evaluated or treated for behavioral health conditions as their primary reason for care using a validated screening

A validated screening tool is one that has been scientifically tested for reliability (the ability of the instrument to provide consistent results), validity (the degree to which the instrument is measuring the condition that it is designed to measure), sensitivity (the ability of the instrument to correctly identify individuals with the condition) and specificity (the ability of the instrument to correctly identify individuals without the condition).

Patients being evaluated or treated for behavioral health conditions often have suicidal ideation. Brief screening tools are an effective way to identify individuals who require further assessment to determine risk for suicide. Screening tools should be appropriate for the population to the extent possible (e.g., age-appropriate). When using validated screening tools, organizations should not change the wording of the questions because small changes can affect the accuracy of the tools.

Additional Resource
Suicide Prevention Portal