title: Firearms risk management in psychiatric care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study sought to assess the effectiveness of a firearms risk management program.
  
  
  METHODS
  A firearms risk management program, which included multidisciplinary assessment, treatment, and discharge planning, was developed and implemented among 46 civilly committed psychiatric inpatients at the Twin Valley Psychiatric System, a behavioral health organization of the Ohio Department of Mental Health.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The research sample comprised mainly men who had personality disorders and histories of substance abuse and who had expressed an intent to use a firearm to commit suicide. On discharge, none of the patients had access to a firearm. Of the 16 patients who were hospitalized during the next 24 months, only five were noted to have threatened to harm themselves or others with a firearm or to have access to a firearm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Multidisciplinary and focused assessment, treatment, and discharge planning can be effective in neutralizing the risk of firearms use among psychiatric patients.
authors.affiliation: Twin Valley Psychiatric System, Columbus, OH 43223, USA.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Sherman
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ignelzi
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Raia
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lofton
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Toland
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stinson
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Tilley
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Coon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D005260:Female; D005389:Firearms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012308:Risk Management