Assessing risk in clinical settings

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Assessing risk in clinical settings should be carried out routinely with regard to a number of risks:

• Assessment of risk of violence to others
• Assessment of self harm risk
• Assessment of sexual offending risk
• Assessment of suicide risk

Risk assessment should be fully documented. see risk assessment documentation. Identified risks should be addressed in peoples care plans so all concerned know how they are to be managed, and this should be subject to regular monitoring and review.

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See also

• Dangerousness
• Risk management plan
• Skills based Training on Risk Management

Key texts

Papers

• Bacon, P. 1997. Assessing risk: are we being overcautious? British Journal of Psychiatry.

170 30-31.

• Joseph Rowntree Foundation (2004). Mental health service users and their involvement in risk assessment and management : research summary Full text
• The Royal College of Psychiatrists Special Working Party on Clinical Assessment and Management of Risk Council (1996) Assessment and clinical management of risk of harm to other people. Report CR 53. Royal College. Full text

Additional material

Papers

• Google Scholar
• Vincent, C. 1998. Framework for analyzing risk and safety in clinical medicine. British

Medical Journal 316:1154-1157.