Assessment and Referral Patterns of Patients Admitted After Deliberate Self-Poisoning

The assessment & referral patterns of adult patients after deliberate self-poisoning in Dundee were examined. Questionnaires were completed by the admitting physicians & assessing psychiatrists over a 3-month period. Initial referral rate was 95% but dropped to between 70-81% after the post receiving round. Although both groups of doctors considered the majority of patients required or would benefit from psychiatric referral, there was poor agreement when patients were independently categorised into high or low suicide risk. Agreement was also low regarding whether referral was essential or not. The psychiatric service, including trained nurses, may be best placed to provide a full assessment, where required. (16 refs.)