St. Luke’s University Health Network has received a statewide award for its initiative to standardize suicide risk assessments and interventions across the Network.
The initiative was one of 12 recognized by The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) through its 2026 Achievement Awards. Started in 1978, the program recognizes hospitals and health systems that are taking innovative approaches to strengthening the safety and quality of care, enhancing operations and patients’ experience and partnering with their communities to address public health needs.
Titled “Standardization of Suicide Risk Assessment and Interventions Across a Multisite Health Care Network,” the initiative improved patient safety and reduced 1:1 observation costs by standardizing suicide risk screening and observation protocols across the Network. More specifically, results included:
- 44% reduction in non-compliant continual 1:1 observation orders
- 49% reduction in emergency department 1:1 observation costs and 19% reduction in inpatient costs
- $2.93 million in total cost avoidance without compromising patient safety
St. Luke’s competed against organizations of a similar size for the Optimal Operations Award, which celebrates hospitals’ and health systems’ innovation to improve operations and strengthen the care they provide for patients and the community. In total, there were 125 entries for this year’s Achievement Awards.
“The 2026 HAP Achievement Awards highlight the innovative ways hospitals are delivering outstanding results for patients,” said HAP President and CEO Nicole Stallings. “Hospitals are vital to Pennsylvania, working inside and outside their walls to improve health and strengthen the communities they serve."
Additional information about the awards program and detailed descriptions of the winning projects are available online.
St. Luke’s has received 26 HAP Achievement awards since 2010 – the most of any health care system in the state.
