• Brit Long, Samuel M Keim, Marian Betz, and Michael Gottlieb.
• Department of Emergency Medicine, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
• J Emerg Med. 2022 Nov 1; 63 (5): 711721711-721.

BackgroundAcute psychiatric presentations account for a significant number of emergency department (ED) visits. These patients require assessment by the emergency physician and often need further evaluation by a psychiatrist, who may request routine laboratory evaluation and an electrocardiogram (ECG).Clinical QuestionDo all adult psychiatric patients need routine laboratory evaluation and an ECG?Evidence ReviewStudies retrieved included 2 prospective, observational studies and 7 retrospective studies. These studies evaluate the utility of laboratory analysis in all patients presenting a psychiatric complaint and its impact on patient management and disposition.ConclusionBased upon the available literature, routine laboratory analysis and ECG for all patients presenting with a psychiatric complaint are not recommended. Clinicians should consider the individual patient, clinical situation, and comorbidities when deciding to obtain further studies such as laboratory analysis. © 2022 Elsevier Inc.Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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