Variations in Medical Clearance Testing for Mental Health Emergency Department Visits.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objectives

There are recommendations against routine medical clearance testing for children evaluated in the emergency department (ED) for mental health concerns. Our objective was to determine variation, factors, and costs associated with medical clearance testing during ED encounters for mental health concerns.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study of ED encounters among children aged 5 to 18 years who presented to 35 US children's hospitals for mental health concerns (2016-2023). We determined the prevalence of medical clearance testing defined as any electrocardiogram, complete blood count, serum chemistry, urine or serum drug screening, urine pregnancy, urinalysis, COVID-19, or thyroid function testing. We used generalized estimating equations to i

SUBMITTER: Rees CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12925325 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature