Documenting psychiatric risk: more than ticking boxes.

The purpose of this study was to audit the completion of risk assessment documentation by staff working within an acute adult mental health setting.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.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.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.