[Characteristics of psychiatric patients in the accident and emergency department (ED)].

OBJECTIVE

To obtain data and results concerning the acute treatment of psychiatric patients within a general ED.

METHODS

Retrospective examination of psychiatric cases treated in the ED of the Hannover Medical School in the year 2002. Patient characteristics were evaluated concerning diagnosis, technical examinations, therapeutic steps and data relating to the length of stay and patterns of usage of emergency services.

RESULTS

2069 psychiatric patients were seen in the ED. Additionally 563 psychiatric consultations were requested. Accordingly, psychiatry is the fourth most frequented discipline within the ED. 51.6 % of the patients were male, the average age was 43.5 years. Acute alcohol intoxication was the most frequent diagnosis with 20.2 %, followed by paranoid schizophrenia in 14.2 % and acute adjustment disorder in 6.7 % of the patients. Suicidal behaviour was present in 12.1 %.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychiatric patients represent a large part of the general interdisciplinary ED. Data may support quality assurance and service planning.