Medicolegal management of the organically impaired patient in the emergency department.

When the organically impaired patient refuses an indicated treatment or admission, the physician may be subject to legal liability regardless of the action taken. He may be held responsible for a negligent discharge, yet be accountable for charges of battery and false imprisonment should he treat against the patient's wishes. A description of the types of patients involved, an analysis of the basic legal issues, a guide to the assessment of these patients, and recommendations for medicolegal management are presented.