Our psychiatrists on call have only just got an alcohol breathalyser. Any
patient over a certain limit (not disclosed so far) is "not their
responsibility". Then the familiar game of "pass the parcel" starts.
I'm about to discuss this "new" policy with the psychiatrists. Anyone else
had this problem?
Ray McGlone
Lancaster A&E
----- Original Message -----
From: "Doc Holiday" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2005 12:22 PM
Subject: Re: EtOH testing in the ED
> When I was in the States we didn't... unless the patient had some minor
> head trauma and we wanted to document a high EtOH level in a somnolent
> patient smelling of booze, to 'make a firm diagnosis'. Of course, we
> followed them clinically during the initial evaluation and periodically
> thereafter (often as they slept it off on the hallway stretcher till
> morning). If the clinical exam steadily improved, we would not get a CT
> scan. Having an appropriately high EtOH for the level of somnolence
> somehow made us feel better, but was probably not necessary at all.
>
> --> So, can anyone actually show a benefit/use/protocol/guideline or any
> other reason to test EtOH levels in head injury etc.? It would surprise
> me,
> but I'll look at and study anything serious if it is presented.
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