Citation

Erstad BL, Grier DG, Scott ME, Esser MJ, Joshi P. Heart Lung 1996; 25(4): 330-336.

Affiliation

Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson 85721, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8836750

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate physicians' recognition of possible ethanol-related complications in trauma patients, and to compare benzodiazepine requirements in patients with positive and negative blood-ethanol concentrations. DESIGN: Retrospective investigation. SETTING: University medical center (level I trauma center). PATIENTS: One hundred thirty-one trauma patients more than 18 years of age who were admitted for at least 24 hours. OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) Physicians' recognition of ethanol (EtOH) as a potential factor complicating patient recovery in trauma patients admitted with positive blood-EtOH concentrations. (2) The amount of benzodiazepines administered to trauma patients with positive EtOH-blood concentrations compared to trauma patients with no detectable EtOH in their blood. RESULTS: The presence of EtOH in the blood or the potential for EtOH withdrawal was mentioned in the progress notes of approximately one fourth of the patients with positive blood-EtOH concentrations. Thiamine was administered in 8.2% of patients with EtOH-related injuries. Benzodiazepine requirements were significantly higher in patients with positive versus negative blood-EtOH concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Prompt recognition and charting of suspected ethanol abuse is recommended, in conjunction with prompt administration of thiamine. It should be anticipated that patients with positive blood-ethanol concentrations will require higher doses of benzodiazepines compared to trauma patients without ethanol-related injuries.

Language: en