Treating Suicidal Patients in the Managed Care Environment (IN: Treatment of Suicidal Patients in Managed Care, ed. by J M Ellison)

In this chapter, the author explores the risks to suicidal patients when managed behavioral health care organizations (MBHCOs) intrude into clinical decision making by refusing admissions & pushing for early discharges. As a result, evaluations may be constrained, treatments may not yet be fully effective at the time of discharge, & the hospital & program structure needed for safe recovery may be denied or withdrawn too soon. The author emphasizes that an initial thorough assessment of a patient & formulation are made all the more crucial when treatment is constrained to a shortened interval by managed care. (35 refs)