Mental health and telephone triage
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Triage Strategies for Patients with Mental Health Issues
Challenges of Triage in Mental Health Cases
Addressing the complexities of triaging patients with mental health concerns:
- High Workload Impact: Mental health crises often constitute a significant portion of out-of-hours triage demands.
- Communication Difficulties: Patients may struggle to articulate their condition or may resist speaking during consultations.
Effective Approaches in Triage
Strategies to manage and support mental health patients during triage:
- Empathetic Approach: Treat every mental health patient with compassion and patience, ensuring they feel heard and understood.
- Risk Assessment: Assess the immediate risk of self-harm or suicidal ideation through careful questioning about intentions and plans.
- Utilizing Available Information: Gather details about current medications and their dosages to gauge the patient's condition management.
- Escalation Protocols: If there is a perceived risk of harm and communication abruptly stops, escalate the case to emergency services, potentially involving ambulance and police services.
Following such incidents, ensure thorough documentation and appropriate referrals to safeguarding boards for vulnerable adult protection.