Blood alcohol level among emergency room patients: a multivariate analysis
Abstract
This article examines the distribution of positive blood alcohol levels (BALs) among emergency room patients and the relationship between intoxication and other variables. Approximately one-quarter of the 640 subjects had positive blood alcohol levels and 16.3% had BAL readings above 0.10%, the legal limit for operating a motor vehicle in most states. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis indicated a significant relationship between employment status, gender, educational attainment, age and BAL. There were no significant racial differences. Analysis of the role of the presenting problem with BAL revealed that being involved in an accident was significantly predictive of a high BAL in a multivariate context. However, patients presenting with psychiatric problems had overall higher levels of intoxication than other patients. These findings have major implications for public policy formulation vis-à-vis public health delivery.
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The binge model uses high blood ethanol levels (~250 mg%) similar to those in hospital emergency room patients.
“This model involves high blood ethanol levels (≅ 250mg %) that are similar to the blood alcohol levels commonly found among hospital emergency room patients (Teplin et al., 1989).”
From Impulsivity, frontal lobes and risk for addiction (2009) · cites this paper as Teplin et al., 1989
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“%) that are similar to the blood alcohol levels commonly found among hospital emergency room patients (Teplin et al., 1989).”
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- Authors
- Teplin, L. A., Abram, K. M., & Michaels, S. K.
- Affiliations
- Northwestern University (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Studies on Alcohol
- Publisher
- Alcohol Research Documentation, Inc.
- Published
- 1989-09
- Volume
- 50
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 441-447
- ISSN
- 0096-882X (ISSN-L)
- 1934-2683
- OpenAlex
- W1996807948
- Cited by
- 44
- References
- 27
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 1
- FWCI
- 2.22
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Studies on Alcohol (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Northwestern University
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (R01AAMH05884)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality › Traffic and Road Safety
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Emergency Medicine › Emergency and Acute Care Studies
- Keywords
- blood alcohol concentration, emergency department patients, alcohol intoxication, alcohol-related accidents, psychiatric emergencies, employment status, gender differences, educational attainment, age, racial differences, alcohol policy
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Ethanol, Alcoholic Intoxication, Alcoholism, Mental Disorders, Emergency Service, Hospital, Female, Humans, Male, Risk Factors
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