The evaluation of elderly patients by a psychiatric emergency service.

A retrospective descriptive study of older patients evaluated by the psychiatric emergency service (PES) of a general hospital was implemented. The medical records of all patients aged 65 years and older evaluated by the PES during the 1980 calendar year were reviewed. Seventy-four patients were identified, 38 male and 36 female. Forty-three percent of the sample had no medical problems, 59 percent had a prior psychiatric history, and 38 percent had a diagnosis of organic brain syndrome. After their evaluation, 43 percent of these older patients were discharged home with a referral for outpatient treatment. In contrast to prior studies, only 35 percent of the sample were taking two or more psychoactive medications. Only two patients were referred for evaluation from skilled nursing homes.