Case study illustrating risks of garrison unit watch for soldiers at risk of suicide

Unit watch over suicidal patients by nonmedical soldiers is often necessary in a deployed environment, but this strategy's risks may outweigh its benefits in a garrison environment. This case study illustrates risks of unit watches that are difficult for medical personnel to effectively mitigat...

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Veröffentlicht in:Military medicine 2015-06, Vol.180 (6), p.e721-e722
Hauptverfasser: Brown, Christopher S, Sheridan, Jr, Richard J
Format: Artikel
Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:Unit watch over suicidal patients by nonmedical soldiers is often necessary in a deployed environment, but this strategy's risks may outweigh its benefits in a garrison environment. This case study illustrates risks of unit watches that are difficult for medical personnel to effectively mitigate. The suicidal soldier in question was placed on a unit watch in lieu of psychiatric hospitalization, utilizing a plan agreed upon by all parties. However, within 2 days, the plan had degenerated to an unacceptable degree. A commander is always legally responsible for subordinate soldiers' conduct, but from a patient safety perspective, medical professionals must account for the inevitable periods of decreased oversight within a unit. Medical professionals who recommend a unit watch must consider the risks associated with this course of action, including instances such as the error chain detailed in this case.
ISSN:0026-4075
1930-613X
DOI:10.7205/MILMED-D-14-00519