The use and impact of pathology tests in emergency department patients with mental health-related complaints: A cross sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To evaluate the use and impact of pathology tests in patients who present to the ED with mental health-related complaints. The primary objective is to measure the proportion of patients undergoing pathology tests and assess whether these tests trigger a change in management.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we reviewed all recorded mental health presentations to our regional ED between January and June 2021. Patient characteristics, pathology tests, subsequent change in management, treatment costs and time to Emergency Physician and Psychiatrist were extracted. Descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis were used to explore associations between variables of interest, ED length of stay (LOS) and change in management.

Results

Of 37 900 ED visits, 146

SUBMITTER: Brouillard D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11744406 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature