Year: 1990 Source: Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of London, v.24, no.4, (October 1990), p.281-283 SIEC No: 19910620

In recent years a large proportion of self-harm patients attending hospital have not been admitted to medical or short-stay wards but have returned home directly from accident & emergency departments. A continued trend towards such a policy seems likely despite limited & conflicting evidence on its desirability. The clinical, training, & epidemiological implications of changes in self-harm admission policy are outlined, together with recommendations concerning clinical audit. (24 refs.)