Citation

Bachtel AA, Barzman DH, Delgado SV, Sorter MT. Am. J. Forensic Psychol. 2018; 36(2): 47-52.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, American College of Forensic Psychology)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Patient A, a 13-year-old male, was brought to the emergency department of a children's hospital in Ohio after a suicide attempt involving ingestion of 1,000 mg of Wellbutrin. When he was interviewed in the ICU by the psychiatry consult team, he continued to endorse suicidal thoughts with intent. The consult team determined that Patient A was at high risk for suicide due to having multiple risk factors. It was strongly suggested to his parents that he be admitted to the inpatient psychiatric unit. The parents were against an inpatient admission and took their child from the hospital against medical advice (AMA). Ohio, like many other states, does not allow for an involuntary 72-hour hold of a minor. Without the possibility of a 72-hour hold, there is no way to prevent parents from removing a child from the hospital. The implications of not allowing medical professionals to properly do their job and treat children that are suicidal or homicidal places the child and the public at risk of harm. © 2018 American Journal of Forensic Psychology.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; human; male; Review; case report; suicidal ideation; depression; police; suicide attempt; major depression; hanging; medical ethics; hopelessness; clinical article; child psychiatry; impulsiveness; patient compliance; attention deficit disorder; European American; charcoal; child protection; telemetry; family conflict; discharge against medical advice; social media; grandmother