Abstract
The first part of this audit looked at the demographics of young people presenting to Monklands Hospital and the quality of their assessment. Precipitating factors and past psychiatric history were enquired of in the majority of cases but there was a dearth of information regarding alcohol/drug use and family history. A checklist was devised with the aim of improving the quality of these assessments. The second part of the audit cycle completed one year later revealed considerable improvement in all categories. It is hoped that this will be maintained by displaying the checklist in the accident and emergency department and continuing to include teaching about this vulnerable population to all new medical and nursing staff.
Highlights
The firstpart of this audit looked at the demographics of young people presenting to Monklands Hospital and the quality of their assessment
Many young people who present with self-harm are neither psychiatrically disturbed nor suicidal and do not require psychiatric input
It is essential that all these young people be adequately assessed by medical and nursing staff, in liaison with psychiatric services, taking cognisance of the known risk factors so that an informed decision can be taken regarding the need for psychiatric assessment or follow-up
Summary
The firstpart of this audit looked at the demographics of young people presenting to Monklands Hospital and the quality of their assessment. One-third of those who commit suicide will have made prior attempts and those who present with self-harm are at greatest risk of later suicide (Hawton & Golacre, 1985; Shaffer & Piacentini, 1994). A large body of knowledge, incomplete, has been collected to help clinicians detect those at greatest risk of further self-harm and completed suicide (Shaffer & Piacentini, 1994). These include: (a) males; (b) those with psychiatric disorders especially depressive ill ness and alcohol and substance misuse; (c) those from the lower socio-economic groups; and (d) those from a family with poor communication. As is policy in this hospital an interview with a social worker may be helpful prior to discharge
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