Psychiatric Emergency

A psychiatric emergency is a situation that if left untreated is likely to cause harm to oneself or others. These acute disturbances of behavior may manifest as suicidal ideation or attempts, violence, agitation, drug overdose, delirium, psychosis, mania, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, or serotonin syndrome. When psychiatric emergencies arise, they can present many challenges to the PMHNP. While many approaches to emergencies are similar when dealing with children and adolescents versus adults, significant differences also exist. This is particularly true with coordination of care, availability of resources, and legal implications of the psychiatric emergency.

This week, you examine psychiatric emergencies and explain the ethical and legal issues surrounding these events. You will also review evidence-based suicide and violence risk assessments that you may use to screen patients.

The diagnosis of psychiatric emergencies can include a wide range of problems—from serious drug reactions to abuse and suicidal ideation/behaviors. Regardless of care setting, the PMHNP must know how to address emergencies, coordinate care with other members of the health care team and law enforcement officials (when indicated), and effectively communicate with family members who are often overwhelmed in emergency situations. In their role, PMHNPs can ensure a smooth transition from emergency mental health care to follow-up care, and also bridge the physical–mental health divide in healthcare.

In 2–3 pages, address the following:

· Explain your state laws for involuntary psychiatric holds for child and adult psychiatric emergencies. Include who can hold a patient and for how long, who can release the emergency hold, and who can pick up the patient after a hold is released.

· Explain the differences among emergency hospitalization for evaluation/psychiatric hold, inpatient commitment, and outpatient commitment in your state.

· Explain the difference between capacity and competency in mental health contexts.

· Select one of the following topics, and explain one legal issue and one ethical issue related to this topic that may apply within the context of treating psychiatric emergencies: patient autonomy, EMTALA, confidentiality, HIPAA privacy rule, HIPAA security rule, protected information, legal gun ownership, career obstacles (security clearances/background checks), and payer source.

· Identify one evidence-based suicide risk assessment that you could use to screen patients.

· Identify one evidence-based violence risk assessment that you could use to screen patients.

Attach copies of or links to the suicide and violence risk assessments you selected. You will lose points if you do not attach copies or links to the suicide and violence risk assessments you selected in the body of your paper or as appendices which are separate from the reference list. It is not enough to only include the references for the links in the list of references.

You will lose points if your paper has more than 3 pages (excluding the title page of the assignment, reference list, and appendices if any).

You will lose points if your paper does not follow APA style. APA style includes use of headings and page numbers. Insert page numbers in the top right corner. Make sure your assignment is double-spaced. You need to include headings to identify the content of each of the distinct topics you are asked to address. Review the syllabus for explanation of primary and secondary sources.