Specific NICE Recommendations (Grade D) for EDs
Specific NICE recommendations [7,8] have been put in place to ensure the safety of both the staff and other patients in emergency departments:
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Systems should be in place for placing alerts on those known to pose a threat of violence |
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Interview rooms should be of the standard set by the RCP [3] |
| Chaperones should be present during an assessment and regular checks provided by other staff, for example every five minutes |
| Psychiatric assessment should be available in the emergency department within one hour |
| Mental health nurses should be employed within the emergency department |
| Lorazepam is recommended as 1st line for rapid tranquilisation |
Lorazepam Intramuscular is the first line choice for rapid tranquilisation, however, can be considered in combination with haloperidol if required (and no associated cardiac risks). [7]