Hospitalized patients and alcohol: who is being missed?

摘要: Research and clinical experience have shown that alcohol use disorders are neither sufficiently identified nor addressed in hospitalized patients. This study sought to quantify localize these missed opportunities. The setting was an urban medical center with a Level 1 trauma designation. only eligibility requirement Blood Alcohol (BAL) greater than 300 ng/dl upon hospital admission, “nonsubtle” value more three times the legal intoxication limit. Charts [58] were retrospectively reviewed for treating service (medical, services, or psychiatric) evidence of psychological signs behavioral symptoms withdrawal. Also assessed presence absence withdrawal monitoring, prophylaxis orders, inpatient addictions consultation, referral aftercare. Numerous patients admission BALs >300 failed be as needing assessment alcohol-related disorders. Patients admitted psychiatric services significantly likely diagnosed those on (P = .02). also referred after-care < .0001) cared services. delivery care deficient, particularly traumatic injuries, even among severely intoxicated at admission. Failure identify such represented opportunity address this vital contributor trauma. It is suggested both origins shortfall its resolution depend not just providers but entire system.