title: [Appropriateness and complexity of the psychiatric emergencies in a general hospital].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to provide data about the characteristics of consultations in a Psychiatric Emergency Unit of a General Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated prospectively all patients attended in the Psychiatric Emergency Unit of the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona over a period of 40 days. A standardized registry was applied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sample consisted of 1,054 cases (52.9% women and 47.1% men). The most frequent reason for consultation was anxiety (33.4%). Some medication was administered in 59.4% cases and 20.5% of patients were hospitalized. The consultation was considered appropriate in 60.1% cases. Complementary exams were performed in 28.9% patients. In 21.7% cases, the patient had to be studied by more than one specialist.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Consultations to a Psychiatric Emergency Unit may be complex, and therefore it seems reasonable that a general hospital has to be the ideal location for these units.
authors.affiliation: Institut Clínic de Psiquiatria i Psicologia, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de Pablo Rabassó
authors.forename: Gemma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Parramon Puig
authors.forename: Juan Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Goikolea Alberdi
authors.forename: Bárbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Corbella Santomà
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fuente Díaz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004637:Emergency Services, Psychiatric / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006769:Hospitals, General / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*