Managing Patients With Deliberate Self Harm Admitted to an Accident and Emergency Observation Ward

The hospital notes of 568 patients admitted to an accident & emergency observation ward during 1 year following episodes of deliberate self-harm were reviewed in a retrospective study. The majority of these patients had taken an overdose & were between 18-35 years of age. Only 20% of admissions required evalution by a psychiatrist. Most patients were discharged the next day without further follow-up. The use of a specialized accident & emergency based team & observation ward is appropriate for the management of many deliberate self-harm patients. (7 refs.)