Predicting the results of routine laboratory tests in elderly psychiatric patients admitted to hospital.
This study attempted to determine whether the number of routine laboratory screening tests done on elderly psychiatric patients on admission to the hospital could be reduced without compromising patient care. It was found that the admitting doctor underestimated the number of tests that would yield abnormal results. It is not recommended that these tests be done on a discretionary basis.
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003363:Cost Control; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011336:Probability; D011570:Psychiatry