Citation

Ryan JM, Clemmett S, Snelson A. Accid. Emerg. Nurs. 1997; 5(3): 152-155.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/s0965-2302(97)90010-2

PMID

9325669

Abstract

Attendances at Accident & Emergency (A & E) departments by patients with mental health problems are on the increase. An emphasis on care in the community for patients with psychiatric disorders, and a society which is placing increased demands on the vulnerable, has meant that A & E departments are increasingly having to manage patients who have self-harmed and patients with acute mental health problems. Arguably, it is no longer acceptable or necessary for all patients presenting with self-harm to be admitted to hospital or to have a full evaluation by a psychiatrist. Other options exist whereby such patients can be managed in an efficient and appropriate way. One such option is the introduction of a psychiatric liaison nurse to the A & E department, who can liaise with A & E staff and with all available psychiatric services to offer optimal treatment for a patient. Such a service can obviate the need for involving psychiatric services directly on the day a patient presents. This paper describes the role of a psychiatric liaison nurse in an A & E department. It illustrates how effective the role can be by describing two case histories and outlining the psychiatric liaison nurse's work practice in the A & E department.

Language: en

Keywords

Adult; Emergency Nursing; Emergency Service, Hospital; Emergency Services, Psychiatric; Female; Humans; Male; Patient Care Team; Psychiatric Nursing; Role; Workforce