title: Medicolegal management of the organically impaired patient in the emergency department.
abstract: When the organically impaired patient refuses an indicated treatment or admission, the physician may be subject to legal liability regardless of the action taken. He may be held responsible for a negligent discharge, yet be accountable for charges of battery and false imprisonment should he treat against the patient's wishes. A description of the types of patients involved, an analysis of the basic legal issues, a guide to the assessment of these patients, and recommendations for medicolegal management are presented.
mesh_terms: D001927:Brain Diseases; D003657:Decision Making; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D008297:Male; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010819:Physician's Role; D014481:United States