Psychiatric emergencies: rapid response and life-saving therapies.
Mental status in older patients can be acutely affected by a range of factors, particularly polypharmacy, disorders of cognition, psychosis, and elder abuse. Patients so affected may be agitated, uncooperative, combative, suicidal, or incapable of participating in treatment decisions. In a life-threatening emergency, a patient may need to be restrained or a treatment administered against a patient's wishes. Key to successful management of psychiatric emergencies is an awareness of the potential scenarios, familiarity with appropriate interventions, and an understanding of patient rights. An increased alertness for life-threatening behaviors can help prevent an event from worsening and minimize the likelihood of a patient acting out on a threat of violence or suicide.
Kennedy
G J
GJ
Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montifiore Medical Center, Bronx Psychiatric Center, NY, USA.
Onuogu
E
E
Lowinger
R
R
D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis; D004637:Emergency Services, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D016743:Mental Competency; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000188:drug therapy; D012308:Risk Management