Emergency Psychiatric Consultation to Medical-Surgical Services

465 psych consultations to medical-surgical services were examined to compare those designated as emergencies & those designated routine. 23% were emergencies; psychotic thinking & suicidality were noted more. Emergencies demonstrated a more active role by the consultant & more recommendations for drug therapy, follow-up visits & disposition. Concordance with diagnostic & drug recommendations & representation of psych diagnosis in discharge summaries did not differ significantly btwn the 2 grps.