Health
Services Research
Community
Psychiatry (PRiSM)
Outcome measures and
assessment scales
Clinical Assessment of Risk Decision Support (CARDS)
What is CARDS?
The Clinical Assessment of Risk Decision Support (CARDS) system is a clinical decision support system to aid clinicians in their assessment and management of the risk of violence and suicide in adults of working age using mental health services.
The goal of a CARDS assessment is to inform the care planning process, to improve quality of care and to meet requirements for good clinical practice. It is not intended to assign a numerical value to the level of risk. It is intended to support and not replace clinical judgement.
CARDS comprises 4 single-page forms:
- CARDS Screening form
- CARDS Risk Factors form
- CARDS Risk Events History form
- CARDS Summarised View of Risk form
It also has three types of guidance:
- Information and Instructions
- Assessment Guidelines
- Frequently Asked Questions
There are two versions of the CARDS:
- Assessment of Risk of Violence
- Assessment of Risk of Violence and Suicide
We advise that the structure and content should not be changed. There is a specific sitation to be used in publications using the CARDS.
Download CARDS
CARDS (Violence) [PDF]
CARDS (Violence and Suicide) [PDF]
These versions of the CARDS can be used freely for research or clinical purposes, and incorporated into local documentation.
This site is designed to answer most questions about the CARDS, but if you have a question which is not covered, or would like to let us know how you are using the CARDS, then contact the development team.