Assessing and managing suicidal patients in the emergency department

Authors

Christopher Ryan, University of SydneyFollow
Matthew Large, University of New South Wales
Robert Gribble, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Matthew D. Macfarlane, University of WollongongFollow
Ralf Ilchef, University of Sydney
Tad Tietze, University of New South Wales

RIS ID

103734

Publication Details

Ryan, C. James., Large, M., Gribble, R., Macfarlane, M., Ilchef, R. & Tietze, T. (2015). Assessing and managing suicidal patients in the emergency department. Australasian Psychiatry, 23 (5), 513-516.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this article is to set out consensus guidelines for the assessment and management of "suicidal patients" in the emergency department. Conclusions: Clinicians should be respectful and reassuring. They should review old notes, conduct a full history and examination, and talk to friends, family and any practitioners already involved in the patient's care. Management should be guided, where possible, by the patient's preferences, not by notions of risk. Every negotiated management plan and its rationale should be carefully documented.