bhs350 topic 8 High Risk Reporting77
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Grand Canyon University *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
350
Subject
Health Science
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
6
Uploaded by JonicaMann
High Risk Reporting
Jonica Mann
College of Humanities and Social Science, Grand Canyon University
BHS-350: Report Writing, Research, and Information Literacy in Behavioral Health
Robert Gregory
October 1, 2023
1
Introduction
There are several high-risk situations and circumstances in the field of mental health that
call for meticulous and thorough recording. Assessment, treatment, and care coordination for
people with varied behavioral health issues depend heavily on effective documentation. In this
essay, we will examine the value of documenting high-risk situations and go through two high-
risk populations: those who have suicidal thoughts and situations involving child abuse and/or
neglect. As part of the coordination of care for these groups, we will additionally name two more
agencies or types of assistance.
Child Abuse/Neglect
Cases of child abuse and neglect are high-risk situations that necessitate meticulous
documentation to safeguard vulnerable Children. Physical, emotional, sexual, and neglectful
maltreatment of children are all included in child abuse (Child Welfare Information Gateway,
2022). Child abuse is high risk because children are dependent on adults and are naturally weak,
children are more likely to be abused or neglected (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2022).
Long-term effects of abuse and neglect of children can have negative effects on their physical,
emotional, and developmental health, making intervention even more important (Child Welfare
Information Gateway, 2022). Behavioral health professionals have an obligation under law and
ethics to report and document suspected incidents of child abuse and neglect. To protect the kid's
safety and wellbeing, incidents of child abuse and neglect frequently call for the cooperation of
several agencies. Two other organizations or intervention types are as follows: CPS: Child
Protective Services CPS organizations investigate claims of child abuse and neglect, therefore
complete records of reports, evaluations, and case plans are crucial (Child Welfare Information
Gateway, 2020). Decisions about child custody and placement are based on this documentation
2
(Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2020). By assisting families in caring for their children
effectively or, in cases when that is not possible, by assisting children in finding permanence
with relatives or adoptive families, child welfare seeks to enhance the well-being, permanency,
and safety of children and families (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2020). Law
Enforcement Agencies. The child may be protected by law enforcement authorities in situations
of extreme abuse or impending danger. For legal and protective actions, documentation of
incidents, interviews, evidence gathering, and judicial proceedings are essential.
Suicidal Ideations
Suicidal ideations are considered a high-risk situation in the behavioral health community
because they refer to ideas, schemes, or intentions of committing suicide or self-harm (Harmer et
al, 2023). Suicidal ideation sufferers are immediately at risk to themselves, and proper
documentation is essential to guarantee their safety and wellbeing. Suicidal thoughts are a blatant
sign that a person's life is in danger and needs immediate attention (Harmer et al, 2023). This
qualifies as a high-risk situation. Actions can have varying degrees of lethality, from passive
thoughts to intricate planning, making a precise assessment and intervention necessary. Suicidal
ideation frequently coexists with other mental health conditions, making thorough
documentation essential for precise diagnosis and treatment (Harmer et al, 2023). Documentation
is frequently disregarded as a time waster or seen as lessening the therapeutic benefit of
counseling and therapy (American Psychological Association, 2007). Everyone who is involved
benefits from documentation, both the client and the practitioner (American Psychological
Association, 2007). It can be used to assess treatment plans or determine how treatments are
3
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
progressing. In collaborative care, documentation is also crucial so that the treatment team can
see all the physicians' notes on the patient (American Psychological Association, 2007).
Importance of Documentation
In the field of mental health, documentation is crucial in high-risk situations for several
reasons: Legal and Ethical Compliance: Professionals are required by law and ethics to keep
correct records (American Psychological Association, 2007). They must also make sure that
interventions are properly recorded to shield both clients and practitioners from liability.
Continuity of Care: Thorough documentation makes sure that all parties involved—including
other organizations and healthcare professionals—have access to the data they need to make
educated decisions and coordinate care. Risk assessment: Documentation is helpful in
determining the degree of risk, monitoring development, and gauging the success of
interventions (American Psychological Association, 2007). It helps determine if someone is still
at high risk or if they can go to a lesser level of care. Accountability: Accurate documentation
encourages transparency and the provision of high-quality healthcare by holding professionals
responsible for their actions and judgments.
Conclusion
In the field of behavioral health, documentation is essential to maintaining people's safety
and wellbeing in high-risk situations rather than just being an administrative task. The need for
detailed documentation to deliver quality care, safeguard vulnerable populations, and uphold
legal and ethical commitments is demonstrated by situations of people with suicidal ideations
and child abuse and/or neglect. Collaboration with organizations like crisis hotlines, EMS, CPS,
and law enforcement also emphasizes the need for a multidisciplinary approach in these high-
4
risk circumstances. Behavioral health practitioners can significantly contribute to saving lives
and fostering recovery by emphasizing documentation.
5
References
American Psychological Association. (2007, December 1).
Record keeping
guidelines.
https://www.apa.org/practice/guidelines/record-keeping
Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2022). Definitions of child abuse and neglect. U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families,
Children's Bureau. https://www.childwelfare. gov/ topics/systemwide/laws-
policies/statutes/define/
Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2020). How the child welfare system works. U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families,
Children’s Bureau. https://www.childwelfare. gov/pubs/factsheets/cpswork/
Harmer, B., Lee, S., Duong, T. V. H., & Saadabadi, A. (2023). Suicidal Ideation. In
StatPearls
.
StatPearls Publishing.
6
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help