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<p>If psychiatric patients are discharged or elope from the ED and harm themselves or others, a wrongful death lawsuit is possible. To reduce risks, EPs can document that there was no evidence of homicidal or suicidal ideation at the time of the ED visit, contact a psychiatrist to support the decision to discharge, keep the patient secure until the evaluation is complete, and take reasonable precautions when patients are transported to another facility.</p>

Psych Patients Elope or Are Discharged? Either Way, It’s a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Damage done ‘becomes the liability of the ED staff’