Psychiatric Assessments...What do you do?

[Craig Alan Evans]

Behavioral emergencies can be very challenging. This is an easy four step guideline to how I approach these types of emergencies. What do you think? What do you do?

http://craigalanevans.blogspot.com/2012/03/coo-coo-bird-practical-prehospital.html

 

[Martyn]

Some good points there, thanks

 

[abckidsmom]

I have never heard of ranking suicidal/homicidal ideation on a scale. In general I just ask them if they do or do not have SI/HI. I think it's really interesting how freely they answer those questions, though.

Just wondering, why did you put diffusing the situation at the bottom of your list? Many times, if you come in asking a bunch of questions before you put in the work of developing a rapport with the patient, they will retreat into themselves and you won't get anything, or they may become openly hostile.

I realy like psych calls. Out here in the boonies, it can be a very long ride in to the hospital with a truly crazy person, and you absolutely have to be on your game, saying what they need to hear to keep their grip on reality and keeping you and your partner safe.

Fun times.

 

[Vetitas86]

I think that's something EMTs and medics don't really get much training on. Granted, its not every call, but when it happens, it'd be a nice thing in your bag of tricks.

 

[Aprz]

Steve Whitehead from TheEMTSpot just wrote something on suicidal evaluations.

http://theemtspot.com/2012/03/14/suicidal-evaluation-the-dead-pimp-assessment/

Disorder
Environmental stressors
Access to firearms
Disinhibition

Previous attempts
Ideation, suicidal
Male
Plan

Check out the link for more details.

 

[abckidsmom]

Steve Whitehead from TheEMTSpot just wrote something on suicidal evaluations.

http://theemtspot.com/2012/03/14/suicidal-evaluation-the-dead-pimp-assessment/

Disorder
Environmental stressors
Access to firearms
Disinhibition

Previous attempts
Ideation, suicidal
Male
Plan

Check out the link for more details.

That was a good blog post.