Description:
<jats:sec><jats:title>Objective:</jats:title><jats:p> The purpose of this study was to audit the completion of risk assessment documentation by staff working within an acute adult mental health setting. </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Method:</jats:title><jats:p> Fifty risk assessment forms in a district health board’s acute adult mental health service were audited for completion. Clinicians provided verbal feedback on the audit results. </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results:</jats:title><jats:p> Risk assessment forms were completed in 58.3% of cases. A risk formulation statement was completed in 43.8% of cases. Rates of completion varied between senior medical officers, registrars and nurses. </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusion:</jats:title><jats:p> Accurate risk formulation and safety planning are more important than ensuring all boxes are ticked on a form. Optimising the design of electronic forms may enhance access to information about historical risk. </jats:p></jats:sec>