Professional
Technical
IVT
Clinical Assessment of Risk to Self and Others
Systematic evaluation of a patient's potential for self-harm, suicide, or violence toward others, required for treatment planning and safety protocols.
Full Definition
A comprehensive clinical evaluation that assesses an individual's risk factors, protective factors, and current mental state to determine the likelihood of self-harm, suicide attempts, or violence toward others. This assessment incorporates historical data, current symptoms, environmental stressors, and access to means of harm. It forms the foundation for safety planning, level of care decisions, and documentation requirements in behavioral health settings.
Usage
Usage note: Always written out fully in formal documentation; avoid abbreviating as CARSO in clinical notes.
In Context
- "The clinical assessment of risk to self and others indicated immediate psychiatric hospitalization." — Emergency department evaluation
- "Documentation must include a thorough clinical assessment of risk to self and others at each encounter." — Quality assurance review
Also known as
risk assessment
dangerousness evaluation
safety assessment
Don't confuse with
risk stratification
suicide screening