Risk Management With the Suicidal Patient (IN: Emergencies in Mental Health Practice: Evaluation and Management, edited by P M Kleespies)

To develop a professionally sound risk management approach when working with suicidal patients, the clinician must understand legal perspectives of suicide, must know how the law defines negligence & what are the common causes of malpractice actions, & must be knowledgeable about & practice the duty to prevent suicide through the use of reasonable care & skill. This chapter begins with a review of the first 2 tasks, & expands on the third by explaining the utility of documentation & consultation as key activities supporting all risk management activities. (58 refs.)