Management of the violent patient. Therapeutic and legal considerations.

1. Express consent is desirable in caring for patients. However, in an emergency, when the patient is incapable of giving valid consent and harm from failure to treat is potentially imminent, care must be provided. 2. Presentation of a combative patient to an Emergency Department implies a duty of the emergency physician to render assistance according to standards of emergency medical care. 3. Third-party interests must be considered when other patients, coworkers, or potential victims of harm or violence are foreseeably recognized.