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Legal News
Published Online: 15 August 2003

Documentation Each Day Keeps Lawyers Away

Publication: Psychiatric News
Volume 38, Number 16
https://doi.org/10.1176/pn.38.16.0011a
According to legal experts with Professional Risk Management Services, psychiatrists who treat suicidal patients can lessen their chances of being sued by adhering to the following advice:
•. 
Document all aspects of the patient’s treatment, and be as specific as possible.
•. 
Assess the patient for suicide risk at all critical treatment junctures.
•. 
Obtain and review the patient’s prior medical records. If they are unavailable, document your attempts to obtain them.
•. 
Re-evaluate the patient on the day of his or her discharge to determine if there has been a change in mental status.
•. 
Communicate with all members of the patient’s treatment team.
•. 
Define and adhere to the traditional doctor-patient boundaries.
•. 
Don’t distance yourself from the patient when he or she expresses anger toward you.

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Psychiatric News
Volume 38 • Number 16 • August 15, 2003
Pages: 11

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Published online: 15 August 2003
Published in print: August 15, 2003

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