Care for patient with mental health issues SOP

Question 1

Outline the contents of the mental health issues SOP

Answer 1

Self-harm/suicide precipitants for significant proportion of critical injury/illness we attend

Covers:
- Scene safety considerations
- Approach to patient
- Intentional self-harm
- Psychosis

• Treatment
• Triage & transport
• Legal frameworks for treatment (MCA, MHA, Common law)
• Remember safeguarding

Question 2

What are the scene safety considerations with mental health patients?

Answer 2

• May pose a risk to responders
• General safety principles
• Searching for weapons
• Keep your radio on you

Question 3

Describe the general approach to patients with mental health problems?

Answer 3

• Open-minded and compassionate
• Background medical/psych history
• Mental state exam
• Ask about pregnancy/children

Question 4

Describe the approach to patients with intentional self-harm

Answer 4

• Type and reason for self-harm
• Obtain history if overdose
• If discharging on scene ensure MH follow-up
• Control and restraint last resort
• Remove people contributing to distress
• Follow ABD guidelines

Question 5

Describe the decision-making around triage and transport of mental health patients

Answer 5

• Might be worth taking them to a team that know them
• Are Police required?
• Don’t transport by air