ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY AS A ROUTINE ADMISSION PROCEDURE IN A LARGE NEUROPSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL: AN EVALUATION
PHILIP H. ROSS M.D.,
JOHN R. SHAWVER M.D., , and
STANLEY M. TARNOWSKI M.S.1
1 VA Center, Waco, Tex.
The routine use of the electrocardiogram on admission of patients to a large neuropsychiatric hospital has been found to be of considerable value. It has demonstrated a large number of patients (16.6%) to have significant electrocardiographic abnormalities. This has made possible, at a very early stage, the following appropriate measures: 1. Proper treatment of the cardiac, or related, disorder. 2. Rapid evaluation of eligibility for desirable neuropsychiatric therapeutic regime, especially shock therapy. 3. Proper occupational therapy. 4. Realistic rehabilitation planning.
It should further be mentioned that only a small percentage of these patients were suspected of cardiac abnormalities after clinical examination and other laboratory tests.
The procedure of taking routine electrocardiograms on all patients admitted to a neuropsychiatric hospital is highly recommended. [SEE TABLE 1 IN SOURCE PDF]
