5.0 Risks and Consequences of Improper Management
Improper management creates a cascade of risk, where the immediate danger of physical harm obstructs necessary medical care, thereby exacerbating the underlying condition and leading to long-term deterioration in the patient’s quality of life.
- Risk of Harm: The most immediate risk is physical harm. Impulsive behaviors can lead to self-injury or physical assault on staff, family members, or other patients.
- Obstruction of Medical Care: An agitated patient often cannot cooperate with essential medical evaluations, such as physical exams, blood tests, or vital sign monitoring. This resistance can delay diagnosis and treatment, potentially leading to life-threatening situations.
- Deterioration of Underlying Conditions: Untreated agitation can exacerbate the course of the primary psychiatric illness. For example, it can worsen the severity of a depressive episode or prolong a manic phase in bipolar disorder.
- Reduced Quality of Life: Chronic or recurrent agitation significantly impairs a patient’s social, familial, and occupational functioning, leading to a profound decline in their overall quality of life.
Understanding these profound risks reinforces the central message of this policy.