TY  - JOUR
PY  - 1996//
TI  - Recognition and treatment of ethanol abuse in trauma patients
JO  - Heart and lung
A1  - Erstad, B. L.
A1  - Grier, D. G.
A1  - Scott, M. E.
A1  - Esser, M. J.
A1  - Joshi, P.
SP  - 330
EP  - 336
VL  - 25
IS  - 4
N2  - 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.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0147-9563
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -