Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk: Guidelines for Clinically Based Risk ManagementPatient suicide is an unavoidable occupational hazard of psychiatric practice. Indeed, it is the rare clinician who does not struggle, even agonize, over the complex task of assessing and managing the risk of suicide in patients. Patient suicides account for the greatest number of malpractice suits filed against psychiatrists and for the greatest number of settlements and verdicts covered by professional liability insurers. In this book, written by a clinician for clinicians, Dr. Simon, an established expert in psychiatry and law, offers A solid, easy-to-understand review of how medical malpractice law applies to patient suicides. He discusses the standards of care physicians must meet, the conditions associated with malpractice liability, and how best to minimize risks of litigation. Extensive references to peer-reviewed literature on suicide and recent malpractice cases, including those triggered by patient suicides, which give insight into the latest developments in both the scientific community and the courts. Much-needed practical advice, including advice on working with suicide risk assessments and suicide prevention contracts, on treating suicidal patients in various settings (outpatient, inpatient, collaborative, and emergency), and on coping with issues arising in the aftermath of a patient's suicide (documentation, confidentiality, and survivor care). Clearly defined risk management guidelines that will help clinicians avoid litigation or establish a sound legal defense if sued for malpractice. Numerous case examples that make the theoretical discussions and clinically based risk management guidelines that follow come alive. Rich in advice that draws on the author's more than 40 years of clinical experience, this book serves as an essential aid to clinicians. |
From inside the book
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... Risk Management .. Clinically Based Risk Management References xiii ... xvii 1 1 3 3578 9 11 14 17 17 18 20 21 2 Suicide Risk Assessment Introduction . Case Example Discussion ... Standard of Care .. .25 25 29 35 35 Systematic Suicide Risk ...
... systematic suicide risk as- sessments combined with appropriate clinical interventions pro- vide the best malpractice defense . DEFENSES TO A MALPRACTICE CLAIM The best defenses to a malpractice claim are preemptive . Gutheil and ...
... risk for suicide . Good clinical care is always the best risk management . For ex- ample , performing systematic suicide risk assessments that inform Table 1-4 . Basic elements of clinically based risk management 18 Assessing and ...
... suicide risk assessment scales and inventories cannot be relied on by clinicians as the sole basis for clinical decision making . Struc- tured or semistructured suicide scales may complement , but should not substitute for , systematic ...
... suicide risk , when indi- cated . An adequate risk assessment systematically evaluates both risk and protective factors ( see Table 2-2 ) . Perfect assessments of suicide risk are not possible ; exhaustive assessments are not neces- sary .
Contents
1 | |
25 | |
Discharge and Aftercare | 36 |
Partial Hospitalization Programs and Intensive | 79 |
5 | 105 |
Emergency Psychiatric Services | 173 |
Documentation | 191 |
Index of Legal Cases and Statutes | 217 |
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Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk: Guidelines for Clinically Based Risk ... Robert I. Simon No preview available - 2004 |