Hi all
As you may know I have moved to Canada. I am working in a rural setting
with a small emergency dept and no beds. We provide all the cover for
this and are working a one in 3
There is a problem with a few alcoholics who go into withdrawal and then
turn up at the emerg usually in the early hours of the morning. Usually
they are a bit tremulous, tachycardic and hypertnsive
It seems historically that they are usually given diazepam and later
leave
I don't feel that this provides them with good care or is an appropriate
use of the emerg
I would like to move away from psychotropic drugs and perhaps use
clonidine - or even perhaps draw up contracts where they know that we
will not dispense for them
I am wondering what other folk do and whether there are any resources
that might help me with sorting something out?
Thanks all
Cheers
--
Jel Coward
The UK Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician and Command Physician course is
10-16th November 2002 at Glenmore Lodge, Aviemore, Scotland
http://www.wildmedic.org
http://www.wemsi.org
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'There's no such thing as bad weather - just bad clothing"
Anon Norwegian
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