Prescribing alcohol in a general hospital: 'not everything in black and white makes sense'

The policies and practicalities of prescribing alcohol for inpatients at a teaching hospital were examined. Sources of information easily available to hospital medical staff were searched for guidance on the prescription of alcohol. No guidance relevant to clinical practice was found. Current practice in a single hospital was examined using a semistructured staff interview. While nurses and doctors suggested a wide range of indications for prescribing alcohol, most of these are not supported by evidence and for some, such as alcoholism and depression, alcohol would be contra-indicated. The persistence of alcohol prescribing in hospital is based on tradition rather than evidence of its effectiveness. It sends an undesirable message to patients who may be suffering from alcohol-related medical disorders, and it is time to discontinue this outdated clinical practice.