Utility of calcium, magnesium and phosphate testing in the emergency department

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine how frequently calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and phosphate (PO4 ) tests change ED patient management. METHODS: We undertook a retrospective observational study in an Australian tertiary referral ED. We enrolled adult patients (aged ≥18 years) who presented between 1 January and 30 June 2017 and who had a serum Ca, Mg or PO4 test ordered and completed during their ED stay. Patient symptoms, medical history, electrolyte levels and ED management changes were extracted from the electronic medical record. RESULTS: Of the 33 120 adults presented during the study period, 1716 (5.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.0-5.4) had at least one Ca, Mg or PO4 test completed in the ED...