Medical Clearance for Psychiatric Care
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 7, 2024.
Medical clearance for psychiatric care is a medical exam to make sure that a patient's psychiatric symptoms are not caused by a medical condition. Psychiatric symptoms such as delusions or hallucinations may be caused or made worse by medicine or a physical illness. Healthcare providers will provide any necessary treatment so that the patient may be safely transferred to a psychiatric facility. Talk to the patient's healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns about the patient's condition or care.
DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:
Tests that may be needed to medically clear a patient for psychiatric care:
- A mental exam checks the patient's awareness and memory. The healthcare provider will ask the patient if he or she knows his or her name, his or her location, and the date.
- A neurological exam checks the patient's vision, sensation, reflexes, and muscle function.
- An EKG records the patient's heart rhythm to make sure it is safe to transfer him or her.
- Blood and urine tests check for infection, test kidney function, or get information about the patient's overall health.
- An x-ray takes pictures of the patient's chest to check for infection or fluid in the lungs.
- A CT scan , or CAT scan, is a type of x-ray that uses a computer to take pictures of the patient's head. The scan checks for fluid or a tumor. The patient may be given a dye before the pictures are taken to help healthcare providers see the pictures better. Tell the healthcare provider if the patient has ever had a reaction to contrast liquid.
Follow-up care:
The patient will see a medical doctor while at the psychiatric hospital if he or she takes medicine or has a medical condition.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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