Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026
Standardized Model of Ventricular Fibrillation and Advanced Cardiac Life Support in Swine
Published on: January 30, 2020
Use of blood alcohol concentration in resuscitation room patients
Emese Csipke1, Robin Touquet, Tim Patel
1Accident and Emergency Department, St Mary's Hospital, Praed Street, London, UK.
Objective:
To clarify the use of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in the emergency department resuscitation room, by comparing it with a subsequent alcohol questionnaire and by surveying patients' attitudes to BAC testing.
Design:
Observational study.
Participants:
273 resuscitation room patients at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington between August 2005 and February 2006.
Main Outcome Measures:
BAC comparison to questionnaire results, and attitudes to BAC testing.
Results:
The level of agreement between positive screening by questionnaire and a BAC of >80 mg/100 ml was low (kappa = 0.29, 95% confidence interval 0.12 to 0.46) because each test measures different aspects of drinking. Patients accepted the use of BAC tests in detecting alcohol use, though a small minority reported concerns over confidentiality.
Conclusion:
Use of BAC testing complements later questionnaire screening to identify alcohol misuse in patients initially brought to the emergency department resuscitation room, providing results are fed back to the patient. Potential ethical, judicial and insurance concerns should not prevent the use of BAC when judged to be in the patient's best interest.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:26Blood Studies I: ABG and VBG
Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)
Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) studies are crucial for assessing the lungs' ability to supply oxygen and remove carbon dioxide, reflecting the patient's ventilation status. They also help understand the kidneys' capacity to reabsorb or...
01:14SBAR II: Application of SBAR
SBAR Report from a Nurse to a Health Care Provider
S: "Hello, Dr. Smith. This is Jane, RN, from the Med Surg unit. I am calling to tell you about Ms. White in Room 210, who is experiencing increased pain and redness at her incision site. Her recent...
01:22Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management
01:25Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation IV: Pharmacological Management
01:19Respiratory Assessment: Purpose and Indications
Objectives and Importance:
The primary goal of respiratory assessment is to evaluate patients at early risk of clinical deterioration. Since respiratory distress often precedes other signs of declining health, breathing patterns and sounds become a...
01:19Special considerations while measuring oxygen saturation
Ensuring accuracy in vital sign recordings while prioritizing patient comfort and minimizing anxiety is important.