Affiliation:
1. Global Health Institute, American University of Beirut, Hamra,Lebanon
Abstract
Background:
Despite the evidence and guidelines recommending otherwise, routine
testing remains pervasive in the management of patients presenting to the Emergency Department
(ED) for behavioral complaints under the guise of Medical Clearance (MC). The aim of
this review is to highlight the evidence available concerning routine laboratory testing in psychiatry
patients presenting to the ED, underline available guidelines, list possible reasons for
over-testing, and propose a possible approach based on all the evidence and recommendations.
Methods:
Electronic database searches were carried out in Medline/PubMed and Google
Scholar, with the period set from January 1, 1990, to March 1, 2021. The search process was
focused on studies in which MC was evaluated in the management of patients presenting for
psychiatric complaints to the ED. The references listed in each identified article were also
screened and manually searched.
Results:
A total of 14 relevant studies were found. The majority of the studies evaluated the
impact of routine laboratory testing on the management and disposition of adults in the ED
presenting for an acute psychiatric condition. Two studies investigated the use of a screening
tool to rule out the presence of acute medical illness.
Conclusion:
While ED physicians are faced with many challenges, such as litigation and fear
of diagnostic uncertainty, few solutions have been proposed. A suggested approach relies on
history taking, physical examination, and assessment of mentation to evaluate for the presence
of an organic etiology requiring further testing. Adequate communication between the ED physician
and psychiatrist, along with shared decision-making, are also the key to optimizing care.
Publisher
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Subject
Psychiatry and Mental health