Medicolegal aspects of managing deliberate self-harm in the emergency department.
Deliberate self-harm is a common reason for people to present to hospital. The management of this problem can cause ethical and legal difficulties to clinicians. This article describes a case of deliberate self-harm which we have used to illustrate answers to commonly asked questions about this difficult area. We make a case for such patients to be treated against their will under common law unless the use of the mental health act is clearly indicated. The Privacy Act appears to prohibit clinicians informing families about an episode of deliberate self-harm if the patient refuses consent. Clarification of "imminent threat to life or health" in the Privacy Act is needed.
Hatcher
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Department of Liaison Psychiatry, Waitemata Health, North Shore Hospital, Auckland.
Samuels
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D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000506:poisoning; D000328:Adult; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand; D018907:Privacy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*
D000082:Acetaminophen