Injury type, injury severity, and repeated occurrence of alcohol-related trauma in adolescents

Model System:

Reference Type:

Accession No.:

Journal:

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study compares injured adolescents presenting to an emergency room with a positive serum alcohol concentration (SAC+) with those injured adolescents with a negative serum alcohol concentration (SAC-). Retrospective data was used from 176 injured patients (ages 13-18), who were admitted consecutively to a university hospital for two entire years (1989 and 1990). SAC was available for 106 of these 176 patients. Information collected included mechanism/severity of injury, outcome, SAC, length of stay, psychiatric history, prior or subsequent admission for injury, and hospital charges. More than one-third of those tested for SAC had a positive SAC. SAC+ patients had a greater probability of having a psychiatric history and more frequently had a prior or subsequent injury. Furthermore, only 34% of SAC+ patients were referred for counseling. It was concluded that a SAC should be obtained on all adolescents admitted for trauma, that adolescents presenting with injuries and a positive SAC should be referred for alcohol and psychiatric assessment, and that injured adolescents may be at increased risk for repeat injuries in the future. This document is included in NCDDR's Guide to Substance Abuse and Disability Resources produced by NIDRR Grantees, number D.28 and in NCDDR's Guide to Substance Abuse and Disability Resources produced by NIDRR Grantees, 2nd Ed, number D.33.

Author(s):

Participating Centers: