Evaluation of consultation-liaison psychiatry referrals from a critical care unit of an outer suburban hospital

Objective: To describe the nature of psychiatric morbidity in patients admitted to a critical care unit of a general hospital and referred to a consultation-liaison psychiatry service. Method: Analysis of clinical records on all patients admitted to a critical care unit and referred to consultation-liaison between 2010 to end of 2011. Descriptive statistics only are reported. Results: The referrals represented all age groups. Of those referred, 63.9% had a pre-existing psychiatric diagnosis and 64.7% had been admitted for intentional or accidental overdose. Conclusion: Those identified to have a pre-existing mental illness and who had engaged in treatment were found to be inadequately supervised. They require more extended care and monitoring for suicidality and co-morbid physical conditions.